Knowledge and practices of neonatal intensive care doctors about neonatal pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal pneumonia is an important global health problem, with considerable morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) established diagnostic criteria, aiming at the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections of the prenatal, perinatal and the criteria recommended by ANVISA in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia and recognizing the time of antimicrobial therapy. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, in the public and private neonatal intensive care units of the city of Niterói-RJ, through a validated questionnaire based on ANVISA criteria, addressing clinical situations, signs and symptoms and treatment of neonatal pneumonia. The Research Ethics Committee of HUAP/ UFF approved this study. It was used a convenience sample. Results: There were 85 intensivists, 79 (93%) of whom were interviewed. It was identified that 44% did not recognize a clinical situation regarding the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia and 28% regarded hyaline membrane disease, an important differential diagnosis; 67% denied knowing ANVISA criteria and the 33% who affirmed could not report them. Antimicrobial treatment time varied between 4-14 days, with 7 days being the most prevalent. Conclusions: The lack of knowledge about ANVISA criteria and time variability of antimicrobial treatment indicate the need for improvements in the recognition and the disclosure of these criteria. This research also emphasizes that protocols established by the Health Ministry, considered important tools developed to improve national medical assistance, need greater dissemination and diligence.