MENINGITIS IN CHILDHOOD: AN ANALYSIS OF HOSPITAL HOSPITALIZATIONS IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of meningitis in children in Brazil. Method: This is a descriptive study, whose data were obtained through a documentary approach by the SUS Department of Informatics (DATASUS) through data provided by notification in the Information System and Notifiable Diseases (Sinan). Data from the notification of meningitis in the period from 2008 to 2019 were used in children up to 14 years of age in the country. Results: In the pediatric age group, 127.508 cases were reported, equivalent to 55.83% of all diagnoses performed in this period in all age groups. In the sample, there was a higher prevalence of the age group between 1 year and 4 years. Regarding gender, the male was the most prevalent. As for the evolution of reported cases, most patients were discharged from the hospital. Of these, the age group between 1 and 4 years had a higher prevalence. As for deaths from meningitis, there was a higher prevalence of the age group of children under 1 year. The chemocytological method was the most widely used diagnostic method, mainly showing meningitis of viral etiology. Conclusion: It appears that cases of meningitis are prevalent in the pediatric age group, with a predominance of the age group between 1 to 4 years old and male in this study. The importance of preventive actions, such as immunization, is emphasized, especially when the higher lethality of bacterial meningitis is perceived.