Avoidable deaths in children under five years in Passos/MG

Abstract

Objective: To describe the main causes of preventable deaths in children under five years of age in the municipality of Passos, Minas Gerais, between 2010 and 2018, according to the "Brazilian List of Causes of Avoidable Deaths". Method: Descriptive, retrospective research, with a quantitative approach, using data collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM) database, which were later entered into Excel 2010 spreadsheets and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Results: There was a higher occurrence of deaths in male children in the early neonatal period. The most prevalent causes were those that could be reduced by adequate care for women during pregnancy, followed by adequate care for the newborn. Conclusion: There is a need for greater involvement of health managers in terms of prenatal care, with the implementation of actions that promote health and the prevention of diseases and injuries, thus guaranteeing excellent services for the care of these vulnerable groups.