ECOLOGICAL STUDY: BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN BRAZIL AND TRENDS IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is a potentially severe infection with high hospitalization rates and risk of permanent sequelae, particularly in childhood. Children under 10 years old represent a high-risk group due to greater susceptibility to severe forms and rapid progression. In Brazil, understanding the evolution of hospitalizations for this condition can guide public policies on prevention, early diagnosis, and expansion of vaccine coverage. This study aimed to analyze hospital admissions for bacterial meningitis in children under 10 years of age in Brazil. This is an ecological study using secondary data from the Hospital Information System of SUS (SIH/SUS), accessed via DATASUS. All hospitalizations for bacterial meningitis (ICD-10: A39 and G00) in children under 10 years old recorded in Brazil between 2018 and 2024 were included. Variables analyzed included the absolute number of hospitalizations per year and per geographic macro-region (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Center-West). Simple linear regression was applied to assess temporal trends and the Kruskal-Wallis test for regional comparison, with a significance level of 5%. A total of 11,618 hospitalizations for bacterial meningitis in children under 10 years old were recorded in Brazil between 2018 and 2024. Linear regression indicated an average annual increase of 51.75 hospitalizations (R² = 0.07), with no statistical significance (p=0.560), suggesting no consistent temporal trend. Regional analysis demonstrated significant differences in the number of hospitalizations (H = 28.87; p<0.001), with the Southeast showing the highest number of cases, followed by the Northeast, South, North, and Center-West. Although the number of hospitalizations for bacterial meningitis in children under 10 years old remained relatively stable in Brazil between 2018 and 2024, there was significant regional inequality in case distribution. The higher concentration in the Southeast may reflect greater population density and better access to diagnosis and hospitalization. These findings reinforce the importance of continuous monitoring and implementing region-specific strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of bacterial meningitis in the pediatric population.