DETERMINANTS OF PREMATURITY: IMPACT OF COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO URINARY TRACT INFECTION, DIABETES, SYPHILIS, AND HYPERTENSION ON MATERNAL AND FETAL HEALTH AT THE MARIANA BULHÕES MATERNITY HOSPITAL, NOVA IGUAÇU, RJ

Abstract

This study, titled "Determinants of Prematurity: Impact of Complications Related to Urinary Tract Infection, Diabetes, Syphilis, and Arterial Hypertension on Maternal and Fetal Health," investigates the factors contributing to preterm births at the Hospital Maternidade Mariana Bulhões in Nova Iguaçu. The research is based on the high prevalence of prematurity in Brazil, which affects approximately 11.5% of births and is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Through a prospective and descriptive cohort study involving 48 postpartum women and their newborns, the report identifies prematurity as a multifactorial phenomenon linked to both clinical and social aspects. Clinical results revealed that urinary tract infection was the most frequent complication, present in 45.8% of the mothers, followed by hypertensive disorders in 39.6%. Other complications included syphilis (12.5%) and diabetes (8.3%). This situation resulted in a high rate of cesarean sections (69.4%), often necessary to protect maternal and fetal health. Regarding the newborns, the average gestational age was 30.5 weeks, with 77.8% presenting respiratory alterations and 41.7% requiring resuscitation. The socioeconomic profile of the participants also proved to be a determinant: 77% of the mothers were low-income and 50% had not completed high school. Although most showed good adherence to prenatal care, 5.6% did not attend any consultations. The study concludes that early diagnosis and treatment of maternal complications during qualified prenatal care are essential to reducing prematurity and improving perinatal outcomes in the Baixada Fluminense region.