Characterization and neuroprotective care for preterm newborns in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the clinical-epidemiological profile of premature infants admitted to the intensive unit of a public hospital in Paraná. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study based on 170 medical records of newborns <32 weeks, born and staying at the study institution and without associated pathologies, hospitalized between 2017 and 2021. Data were collected between June and August 2022, after approval of the Ethics Committee, and, subsequently, a descriptive analysis was carried out, with simple and relative frequencies, mean, median, standard deviation and interquartile range, and inferential, using the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The majority were male, delivered by cesarean section, very premature, with very low birth weight, Apgar ≥7 at the fifth minute, needing immediate assistance at birth. There were 31 (18.2%) deaths and there was a higher frequency of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in males preterm newborns, with lower gestational ages, birth weight and Apgar. Minimum care measures were recorded in 43 (25.3%) medical records, which guided neuroprotective care and reduced the risk of brain injury and subsequent problems. Conclusion: Identifying the profile and factors that can be intervened can prevent premature dbirths and reduce the number of newborns affected by peri-intraventricular hemorrhage. The importance of developing public policies and effective programs aimed at maternal and child health is highlighted, in order to improve quality of care and reduce negative outcomes.