Avoidability and temporal trend of neonatal mortality in Niteroi/RJ, 2012 to 2022

Abstract Objectives: to analyze neonatal deaths according to avoidability and to analyze the temporal trend of neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in Niterói/RJ, 2012-2022. Methods: ecological time series study. Data from Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos and Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. NMRs were calculated according to maternal and neonatal variables and trends were estimated using the joinpoint regression. Results: the annual number of live births (LB) fell, with a decreasing trend among adolescents and those with low education level. Of the 324 deaths, most occurred early (0-6 days), by preventable causes in 68.6%, predominating those reducible by adequate care during pregnancy. The overall NMR remained stable, ranging from 4.2 to 6/1,000 LB, being higher at the extremes of maternal age (12.7 and 8.6/1,000 LB in 2022, adolescents and over 35 years old, respectively), in low education level mothers (27.6/1,000 LB in 2022), in neonates 2,500g, and for avoidable causes. Conclusions: the high proportion of preventable causes reveals the reduction potential. There was inequality in NMR and its trend, demanding more equitable health actions.