Mortalidade infantil por causas evitáveis na Bahia, 2000-2012

This article aims to analyze the causes of avoidable death in children under one and their rates from 2000 to 2012 in Bahia. It is based on an ecological time series study which takes account the deaths of children under one whose others resided in Bahia during that period. The avoidable deaths classification followed the Lista brasileira de causas de mortes evitaveis por intervencoes do Sistema Unico de Saude (Brazilian list of avoidable deaths causes due to Unified Health System interventions). The data were extracted from health information systems (Mortality Information System, Live Births Information System). Despite reductions in both overall infant mortality rate and death rate by avoidable causes during the study period, there are still high rates of avoidable deaths in children under one in Bahia. The decrease in avoidable mortality rates by appropriated assistance to the newborn and the increase in avoidable mortality rates by appropriated women care during pregnancy draw attention. We can conclude that the approach of the avoidable deathcauses is a potent evaluator of how to improve the health services supplied to maternal and child health.