DEATHS FROM POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTAL EXTERNAL CAUSES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 0–14 YEARS IN BRAZIL, 2020–2024: A DESCRIPTIVE ECOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the distribution of deaths from potentially preventable accidental external causes among children and adolescents aged 0 to 14 years in Brazil between 2020 and 2024, according to age group, geographic region, and underlying cause of death. This ecological, descriptive, and quantitative study was conducted using secondary data from the Mortality Information System (SIM), available through the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS). Selected groups of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), related to drowning, airway obstruction, falls, exposure to inanimate mechanical forces, and accidental poisoning were analyzed. A total of 6,662 deaths were identified, with drowning accounting for most cases (61.1%), especially among children aged 1 to 4 years. Airway obstruction was the leading cause of death among infants under one year of age, representing 75.5% of cases in this category. Regionally, the highest absolute numbers of deaths were observed in the Southeast and Northeast regions, although comparisons of risk between regions require population-adjusted rates. The findings highlight the importance of accident prevention strategies, caregiver education, and first-aid training, particularly in home, school, and recreational settings. Reducing these deaths requires the integration of epidemiological surveillance, community prevention measures, basic life support, and public policies aimed at child safety.