Evolution of quality of information in death certificates mentioning congenital syphilis in perinatal deaths in Brazil

Abstract

Objective   Evaluate the quality of information in death certificates (DC) mentioning congenital syphilis (CS) in perinatal deaths in Brazil (2001/02 and 2012/13).

Methods   Crossectional study with data from the Mortality Information System about fetal and early neonates. Fetal, early neonatal and perinatal mortality rates specific by CS, percentage of incompleteness by selected variables, underlying causes and multiple causes of death ratio (CB/CM), and other indicators were calculated. The original underlying cause was compared to the underlying cause after investigation.

Results   In 2001/02 and 2012/13, 330 and 933 perinatal deaths, respectively, with CS occurred; perinatal mortality rate increased from 4.2 to 12.8 per 100.000 total births. The completion of the main required fields has improved. The CB/CM ratio was 0.8 for CS, indicating adequate registration of this cause, with use of multiple causes. CS percentage as the underlying cause increased post-investigation, from 31.2% to 85.4% (fetal deaths) and from 54.5% to 76.2% (early neonates).

Conclusion   perinatal mortality rate due to CS increased over the study period. There was improvement in the completion of the DC. The use of multiple causes of death allowed the analysis of all perinatal deaths with CS mention, which is important given efforts in reducing CS.

Keywords:  congenital syphilis; death certificates; causes of death; fetal death; infant mortality