PERTUSSIS AS A CAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATION IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS IN BRAZIL: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF A IMMUNOPREVENTABLE DISEASE (2016-2025)

Abstract

 Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which preferentially affects infants and young children, among whom the most severe clinical forms are concentrated. This study aims to evaluate the temporal dynamics of hospitalizations due to pertussis in children under five years of age in Brazil, as well as to measure hospital epidemiological indicators and the associated economic impact over the period from 2016 to 2025. This is an epidemiological, observational, descriptive, quantitative study with temporal analysis, based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), made available by DATASUS. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel®, and the results were compared with the scientific literature. The results showed 7,213 hospitalizations due to pertussis in children under five years of age between 2016 and 2025, with the highest concentration in the Southeast Region (39.2%). Children under one year of age accounted for 85.8% of hospitalizations, confirming this group as the most vulnerable. A marked reduction in hospitalizations was observed between 2020 and 2021, followed by a resurgence starting in 2024. There was a slight predominance of females (51.98%).  Hospital expenditures totaled R$ 9.86 million. This study provides a national overview of the epidemiological and economic burden of pertussis, contributing to the development of strategies aimed at strengthening epidemiological surveillance and vaccination coverage.