Mortalidade Infantil Na Região Metropolitana De Belém Entre Os Anos De 2019 E 2023

The infant mortality rate is an important indicator of health and development, as it reflects preventable deaths through public actions. In Brazil, it has significantly decreased over the past 25 years, but regional inequalities persist. Preventable causes, such as infections and asphyxia, predominate and are linked to the efficiency of health services. This study analyzes factors associated with infant mortality in the metropolitan region of Belém between 2019 and 2023, based on DATASUS data, to understand and improve preventive interventions. In Brazil, 70% of deaths are related to inadequate prenatal care and lack of specialized services. The reduction in the rate in recent decades is attributed to improvements in public policies. To analyze factors related to infant mortality recorded in DATASUS during the 2019–2023 period in the metropolitan region of Belém, a cross-sectional study was conducted with descriptive statistical analysis of the results obtained, using the DATASUS database from the Ministry of Health. The monitoring panel of infant mortality was quantified using health information (TABNET) based on the systematic registration of mortality data (Vital Statistics – Mortality 1996 to 2016, by ICD-10). Statistical analysis of the results was performed by the researcher, according to the nature of the variables. Office 2010 programs were used to compile data into tables and write the study. The results show that in the past five years, 3,454 infant deaths were reported in the metropolitan region of Belém, predominantly associated with perinatal conditions, congenital malformations, and infectious diseases. Most of these were children of mothers aged between 20 and 29 years, born in a hospital setting via cesarean section, and with a birth weight below 2,500 kg. Of all the infant deaths evaluated, 70% occurred during the neonatal period. Factors such as maternal age, low birth weight, type of delivery, and socioeconomic conditions influence mortality. Cesarean sections showed a higher incidence of deaths, although they were associated with higher- risk pregnancies. In the last few years, infant mortality has declined in Brazil and in the metropolitan region of Belém, but preventable deaths remain high. Infant mortality is multifactorial, influenced by socioeconomic profile, prenatal care, and maternal and fetal factors. Public policies based on multidisciplinary analyses are essential to reducing deaths and improving maternal and child health.