[Risk factors for early neonatal mortality].

Objective: To assess risk factors for early neonatal mortality.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was carried out with 146 early neonatal deaths and a sample of 313 controls obtained among survivals of the neonate period in the south region of the city of São Paulo, in the period of 8/1/2000 to 1/31/2001. Information was obtained through home interviews and hospital charts.

Risk-factors for antepartum fetal deaths in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Objective: To assess risk factors for antepartum fetal deaths.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was carried out in the city of São Paulo from August 2000 to January 2001. Subjects were selected from a birth cohort from a linked birth and death certificate database.

[An analysis of the implementation of Committees on Maternal Mortality in Brazil: a case study of the São Paulo State Committee].

The precarious available information and difficulties in obtaining consistent data on maternal deaths in Brazil raise doubts as to the reliability of official statistics. The Committees on Maternal Mortality are considered an important strategy for overcoming these difficulties. This article discusses certain aspects of the Committees' performance, based on the case of the State of S o Paulo, demonstrating the Committee's role as a policy and advocacy instrument, thus going beyond merely an epidemiological surveillance strategy.

[Asthma mortality in the city of São Paulo, Brazil].

Objective: To quantify and compare asthma mortality rates as the main cause of death, taking into consideration the following variables: sex, age and seasonality.

Methods: Data was collected from all death certificates coded 493 of people aged 5 to 34 years in the periods of 1983-5 and 1993-5 in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Data analysis was performed by directly comparing death rates and identifying the odds ratio trend and directly comparing the numbers of asthma deaths.