Recent infant mortality rate in Chile: successes and challenges

Abstract

Background: In order to continue with Chilean infant mortality rate decrease, it is necessary to acquire acute knowlegde that will allow the formulation of adequate actions. 

Objetive: Study the mortality dinamic process and important associated factors.

Method: Evaluation of risk factors in Chilean regions and determinant factors using information from I.N.E, OPS, OMS and health goverment department. 

Results: The most important causes of infant death are congenital malformations and perinatal diseases. In second place, respiratory diseases and finally, malnutrition, diarrhea and infectious diseases. The most important risk factors are parents unemployment, maternal malnutrition, low birth weight and birth assistance, and S.N.S.S technical resources. 

Conclusions: A decrease in mortality rate to 5/1000 newborns could be achieved if neonatal mortality falls to 1/3 and infant mortality to 1/2, so that the actual deaths fall from 1935 to 1219. Appropiate conditions include maternal scolarity, mothers age between 20 - 35 years and birth weight over 2500 g.