Incidence of prevalent diseases in infants in Primary Health Care: a cohort study.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the health problems prevalent in infants in the first year of life in a municipality in northern Rio Grande do Sul.

Method: This is a retrospective, documentary cohort study, with a search in electronic medical records of Primary Health Care services for live births in 2022. These participants were followed through access to the electronic medical record report from January 29, 2022 to December 30, 2023, excluding the neonatal period. Data were analyzed using frequency comparison.

Results: More than half of the children monitored in the cohort received at least one treatment for a prevalent childhood condition; approximately 43% received two treatments; and 30% received three treatments in the first year of life in Primary Care. Most of the problems are associated with respiratory conditions, begin after the 2nd month of life, and persist until the 10th month.

Conclusion: The importance of continuous monitoring and appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions during the first year of life and at critical moments is highlighted.