Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the profile and time trend of the infant mortality rate (IMT) due to congenital malformation (CM) in western health macro-region of Minas Gerais (MG). Methods: 1996-2017 time series study, with information of mortality and live births in MG and macro-region. Secondary data from the Mortality Information System and Live Birth Information System were used. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize a profile of deaths, statistical tests to compare proportions and average percentage variations to analyze trends. Results: Comparing the macro-region with MG, a significant difference was observed in children's skin color and early neonatal age and maternal factors with low schooling and age 30-39 years. IMT declined in almost entire period, however macro-region presented a mortality due to CM higher than MG in 60%. There was an increase in deaths due to CM in the respiratory system (2000-2005; 2012-2017); urinary (1996-1998; 2005-2010; 2015-2017); circulatory (1998-2000; 2005-2007); musculoskeletal (1996-2017) and decreasing for the nervous (1996-2017). Conclusion: Mortality due to CM is higher in the early neonatal period and the macro-region presented a profile of mortality different from MG. Understanding this profile helps planning health actions, focusing on prevention, diagnosis and construction of a care network.