STEIN BACKES, M.T.; MENDONZA SASSI, R.    FLORES SOARES, M.C.. Los factores ambientales y su relación con el bajo peso al nacer en el extremo sur de Brasil. []. , 18. ISSN 1695-6141.

The study of cases and check-ups performed in Rio Grande county/RS, aimed to evaluate Low Birth Weight (LBW) in newborns of mothers residing near the industrial section in the town, and thought to be exposed to environmental pollution. 547 mothers who gave birth in hospital maternity units were interviewed between April and November 2003. The sample was made up of 138 cases and 409 check-ups. The results show that the location of the mothers residence in the area in question showed a greater odds ratio to LBW both in the bivaried analysis (RO 1.87; IC95 % 0.95-3.66) and the multivaried analysis (RO=4.67; IC95 % 0.95-22.90), but the p values were closer to the established cut off point (p=0.067 and p=0.057, respectively). Thus a relation between exposure to pollutants and LBW is shown, although additional studies are needed to clarify this issue area. These results show that it is important for health care workers, and especially by nurses, to take into account environmental issues regarding planning, development and prenatal care of pregnant women, as well as extended assistance to their children after birth.

: polución ambiental; bajo peso al nacer; epidemiología.

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