COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESPIRATORY MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN INFANTS IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ: PRE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACT

Abstract

During the 2020-2021 respiratory disease season, which began with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a drastic reduction in the incidence of respiratory diseases in children, with cases decreasing by more than 95% following the implementation of social distancing measures. This is a descriptive ecological study, using a time series design, utilizing data from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS) accessed through the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), collected in May 2024, covering the period from 2018 to 2023, in the state of Paraná. The analysis revealed varied patterns in pediatric respiratory disease hospitalizations over time, with lows observed in 2020 and 2021 followed by a significant increase in 2022 and 2023. Segmented regression analysis highlighted an average annual increase in hospitalizations from 2021 onwards, reflecting changes in public health dynamics. Regarding mortality, there was an overall increasing trend over the years, with an exception of a decline in 2020. The year 2022 recorded the highest number of deaths, while 2020 had the lowest. The study underscored the evolution of pediatric respiratory illnesses during the pandemic, with a significant reduction in emergency room visits and hospitalizations in pediatric emergency departments in 2020, suggesting an epidemiological decline in viral conditions. The need for adaptable, evidence-based public health policies was emphasized to improve management of these conditions and promote more effective care for the population of Paraná.