TEMPORAL TRENDS, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE, AND OUTCOMES OF CONGENITAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN PARANÁ, BRAZIL: A SURVEILLANCE DATA ANALYSIS FROM 2019 TO 2025

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Congenital toxoplasmosis is an important public health concern due to its potential to cause permanent neurological and ophthalmological sequelae. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends, epidemiological profile, diagnostic criteria, monthly distribution of notifications, and outcomes of congenital toxoplasmosis cases reported in Paraná, Brazil, between January 2019 and March 2025. An observational, retrospective, descriptive, and analytical epidemiological study was conducted using secondary data from SINAN/DATASUS. A total of 1,685 notifications were analyzed. Between 2019 and 2024, a statistically significant increasing trend was observed, with an estimated average increase of approximately 49 notifications per year (R² = 0.718; p = 0.033). Males accounted for 51.51% of cases, with no significant variation over time. Laboratory confirmation predominated in 79.05% of notifications and showed significant temporal variation (p < 0.001). Cure was recorded in 62.61% of cases, whereas 36.08% had unknown outcomes. Among cases with known outcomes, the case-fatality rate was 2.04%. Notifications were unevenly distributed across months and quarters, without sufficient evidence to establish biological seasonality of transmission. The findings demonstrate increasing notifications and weaknesses in data completeness, reinforcing the need to improve epidemiological surveillance, case closure, and documented continuity of maternal and child follow-up.