IMPACT OF CHILD MALNUTRITION ON HOSPITALIZATION RATES: ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS RELATED TO MALNUTRITION IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Child malnutrition represents a serious public health issue in various parts of the world, affecting children's physical and cognitive development and increasing their susceptibility to diseases. This phenomenon is influenced by a series of interrelated factors, including socioeconomic conditions, access to healthcare services, dietary practices, and environmental factors. This article aimed to analyze the impact of child malnutrition on hospitalization rates in Brazil between 2018 and 2023. The methodology used was quantitative, descriptive, and retrospective, with data analysis based on information extracted from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), through the DATASUS platform. The study focused on children aged 0 to 4 years who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of malnutrition, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). A total of 25,145 hospitalizations due to child malnutrition were recorded during the analyzed period, with a concentration of cases in the Northeast and Southeast regions. The year 2023 had the highest number of hospitalizations, followed by 2022. The results highlight the persistence of malnutrition as a public health problem in the country, especially in contexts marked by social vulnerability, and point to the need for integrated prevention actions and the strengthening of primary care.