ANÁLISE EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DA EVOLUÇÃO DOS CASOS DE MENINGITE NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, NO PERÍODO DE 2016 A 2020 EM CRIANÇAS E PRÉ-ADOLESCENTES

Abstract

Introduction: Meningitis is an inflammation that affects the brain membranes, making it a disease of great morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the age group most affected by the disease is school-age children. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of reported and confirmed cases of meningitis among children aged 0 to 12 years and pre-adolescents aged 12 to 14 in the state of São Paulo, in the period from 2016 to 2020, including sex and evolution, in addition to comparing the analyzed age groups. Methodology: This article refers to an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study with a quantitative and prevalence approach, carried out through the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Results: 15,332 cases of meningitis were analyzed. Therefore, there was a prevalence in the year 2018, with 4,234 cases. In addition, it was noted that Meningitis was more present in the age group from 1 to 4 years and in males. Furthermore, it was observed that the discharge rate was 96.39% while death rates were only 2.9% of the cases studied. Discussion: It was observed that meningitis was frequent in individuals aged between 1 and 4 years, due to the low immunity of this population. However, it was noted that most etiologic agents of meningitis can be prevented through vaccination. In addition, it was analyzed that male individuals represented the highest percentage of mortality, being 56.4%. On the other hand, there was a high rate of hospital discharge, represented by 96.39% of cases in the period evaluated. Conclusion: Meningitis is a disease that persists in the population of children and adolescents in the State of São Paulo, causing a decrease in quality of life, morbidity and death in 2.9% of cases in the period presented. Therefore, it is essential that prophylactic measures are encouraged by government health spheres and practiced by the community. In addition, it is necessary to maintain compulsory notification of this disease through epidemiological updates carried out efficiently.