EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF NEWBORNS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases are responsible for 3% to 5% of neonatal deaths, resulting from cardiac malformations that can be identified during pregnancy or in the first days of life. Objective: To identify the epidemiological profile of newborns with congenital heart diseases admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a public hospital in the West of Paraná. Materials and methods: This is an epidemiological, observational cross-sectional, retrospective, and quantitative study. Data were collected from medical records of neonates hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit between January 2022 and January 2023 and presented in tables with absolute and relative frequencies and their correlations. Results: Twenty-five medical records of neonates with heart disease were found, predominantly female, white, residing in urban areas, with an average weight of 2,665 grams and an average gestational age of 36.72 weeks. The most prevalent type of heart disease was Patent Foramen Ovale (40.2%), followed by Interventricular Communication (15.6%). The most used treatment was Prostaglandin and Furosemide. Four cases resulted in death, four were referred for surgical correction, and (12.2%) continued for specialized follow-up. Conclusion: The epidemiological analysis highlighted gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, types of heart diseases, tests and treatments, as well as maternal factors involved. Some characteristics differ from other studies, revealing a distinct profile in the municipality and highlighting the importance of integrated approaches to dealing with congenital heart diseases in newborns.