OBJECTIVES: to examine the perceptions and practices of Family Health Teams (FHTs) regarding the basic care (BC) follow-up of underweight newborns (UWNBs). METHODS: a case-study type qualitative study was carried out with focus groups of FHTs in a suburban district of the municipality of São Paulo. The material obtained was submitted to topic analysis to identify clusters of meaning, from which the main themes emerged. RESULTS: three central themes were identified: pre-natal, longitudinal follow-up of UWNBs (extended clinic, breastfeeding and family care) and permanent education. The pre-natal period was considered to be the time for building up or strengthening the bond between the FHTs and pregnant women, although it was observed that there a difficulties in providing longitudinal all-round follow-up care for UWNBs. It was revealed that there are limitations to longitudinal follow-up in view of the difficulty FHTs experience in coordinating the care network; following protocols and national guidelines, dealing with everyday issues and the family dynamic, and establishing and effecting longitudinal treatment plans. The role of management of a permanent education project network, in particular, was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: according to the perceptions and practices of the FHTs, the UWNBs still do not receive the all-round basic envisaged in national care guidelines for at-risk babies.
Infant; low birth weight; Primary health care; Family health program
