Evolution of neonatal mortality in the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin between 2010 and 2019. A comparison of Argentina, the province of Buenos Aires, and the City of Buenos Aires, 2019.

Introduction. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is an indicator of socioeconomic, environmental, and health care conditions. The Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin (MRRB) is the most polluted in Argentina. Objective. To analyze neonatal mortality (NM) in the MRRB between 2010 and 2019 and compare it with overall data for Argentina, the province of Buenos Aires (PBA), and the City of Buenos Aires (CABA) in 2019. Population and methods. Descriptive study based on vital statistics provided by the Ministry of Health. Results. In 2019, the NMR was 6.4‰ in the MRRB, 6.2‰ in Argentina; 6‰ in PBA; and 5.1‰ in CABA. The risk of NM in the MRRB was higher than in CABA (RR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.61). Between 2010 and 2019, the NMR decreased in the MRRB, PBA, and Argentina; but not in CABA. The risk of NM due to perinatal conditions in the MRRB was higher than in CABA (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.67). The risk of death among very low birth weight (VLBW) live births (LBs) in the MRRB was higher than in CABA (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.33-2.18) and lower than in Argentina (RR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70-0.87). Conclusion. The evolution of NMR between 2010 and 2019 was similar in the MRRB, Argentina, and PBA. In 2019, the structure of causes and the risk of NM were similar in the MRRB, PBA, and Argentina, with a higher risk due to perinatal conditions and among VLBW LBs. The NMR among VLBW LBs was lower in the MRRB than in Argentina.