Dados do Trabalho

Título

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN THE BRAZILIAN MIDWEST REGION FROM 2013 TO 2023

Introdução

Bacterial meningitis in children is a serious condition that can have significant neurological repercussions. The age group affected by this disease occurs mostly in the first year of life. Sequelae in children include cognitive deficit, developmental delay, sensorineural hearing loss and speech impairment. One form of prevention is vaccination, which has crucially reduced the number of this disease in developed countries. Furthermore, continuous surveillance, early diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to minimize the neurological repercussions of this condition in children.

Objetivo

The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological profile of medical records of pediatric patients reported with bacterial meningitis in the Brazilian Midwest region between 2013 and 2023.

Método

This study was carried out through retrospective analysis with data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) obtained through the DATASUS Health Information System. Inclusion criteria included confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis in patients aged 0 to 19 years in the Brazilian Midwest region, between 2013 and 2023 with complete information.

Resultados

1,309 confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis were reported in the Brazilian midwest region, with an irregular distribution of the number of cases over the years, with the highest number of cases in 2023 (N = 177) and the lowest number in 2014 (N = 78 ). Regarding geographic distribution, 41.5% of cases occurred in Goiás, 23.4% in Mato Grosso do Sul, 22.4% in Mato Grosso and 12.5% in the Federal District. Regarding epidemiological characteristics, the majority of patients were male (N = 783), of mixed ethnicity (N = 753), aged less than 1 year (N = 378). Furthermore, 67 patients had death as the final outcome of bacterial meningitis.

Conclusão

This analysis made it possible to identify the epidemiological profile of pediatric patients hospitalized with meningitis from 2013 to 2023 in the Midwest region. The data corroborate current literature demonstrating a higher incidence of bacterial meningitis in the first year of life. This is related to several factors, such as an immature immune system, limited transfer of maternal antibodies, exposure to pathogens, and less effective physical barriers. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the vaccination schedule proposed by the Ministry of Health, which provides for a dose of meningitis C at 3 months and another at 5 months.

Referências

1. BRASIL. Ministério da Saúde. Departamento de Informática do SUS – DATASUS. Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS – SIH/SUS. Disponível em: http://www.datasus.gov.br. Acesso em: 15 jul. 2024.
2. KIM, K. S. Acute bacterial meningitis in infants and children. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, v. 10, n. 1, p. 32-42, 2010.
3. OKIKE, I. O.; JOHNSON, A. P.; HENDERSON, K. L.; et al. Incidence, etiology, and outcome of bacterial meningitis in infants aged <90 days in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland: prospective, enhanced, national population-based surveillance. Clinical Infectious Diseases, v. 59, n. 10, p. e150-e157, 2014.
4. THIGPEN, M. C.; WHALEY, M. J.; SOARES, D.; et al. Bacterial meningitis in the United States, 1998-2007. New England Journal of Medicine, v. 364, n. 21, p. 2016-2025, 2016.

Palavras Chave

Bacterial meningitis; Epidemiology; Midwest region