SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND EVOLUTION OF HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH RATES FOR CLEFT LIP AND PALATE IN BRAZILIAN REGIONS (2015-2024)

Abstract

This article sought to characterize the epidemiological profile of hospital admissions and deaths associated with cleft lip and palate in Brazil from 2015 to 2024. This is an ecological, descriptive, and retrospective epidemiological study based on the analysis of secondary data extracted from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). The results demonstrated a total of 73,082 hospitalizations and 70 deaths during the analyzed period. A marked regional inequality was observed, with the Southeast Region concentrating the highest volume of hospitalizations and deaths, while the North Region showed high proportional lethality. The profile of those affected revealed a predominance of males and the white population in hospitalizations, contrasting with higher mortality in the brown (parda) population. It was also found that lethality severely affected children under one year of age, evidencing extreme vulnerability at this stage of life. In conclusion, orofacial clefts persist as a challenge for Brazilian public health. Geographic and racial disparities in access to specialized services highlight the imperative need to decentralize care and strengthen inclusive public policies, aiming to mitigate preventable mortality and ensure equity in rehabilitation.