HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR ACUTE BRONCHIOLITIS IN BRAZIL IN PATIENTS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE: AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY ACCORDING TO AGE, SEX, AND REGION (2019–2024)

Abstract

Introduction: Acute bronchiolitis (AB) is one of the main causes of hospitalization due to respiratory infection in children under two years of age, especially infants, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being the main etiological agent. In Brazil, seasonality directly influences the increase in hospitalizations, particularly during periods of greater viral circulation. Development: This is an ecological, cross-sectional, and descriptive study conducted using data from SIH/SUS and SIM/DATASUS between 2019 and 2024. Variables related to age group, sex, region, and deaths due to acute bronchiolitis in individuals under 20 years of age were analyzed. During the study period, more than 424 thousand hospitalizations were recorded in Brazil, predominantly in the Southeast region. A significant reduction in hospitalizations was observed in 2020, followed by a progressive increase between 2021 and 2023. Children under 1 year of age accounted for approximately 68.2% of hospitalizations and about 90% of deaths. In addition, there was a higher frequency of hospitalizations among males. Final considerations: Acute bronchiolitis remains an important cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality in Brazil, especially among infants under 1 year of age. The increase in hospitalizations and deaths in the post-pandemic period reinforces the need to strengthen prevention strategies, early diagnosis, healthcare assistance, and the expansion of prophylactic measures against respiratory syncytial virus.