The ANALYSIS OF CASES OF HYPOVITAMINIS A IN BRAZIL IN THE INTERVAL FROM 2015 TO 2022, BASED ON DATASUS DATA

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency, also called hypovitaminosis A, is the result of long-term scarcity of food sources and also as a result of disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that affect the absorption of fats and storage of the vitamin. Hypovitaminosis A reflects mainly on ocular health, and may cause problems such as xerophthalmia (dryness of the outer surface of the eyes), night blindness (difficulty seeing in dimly lit environments), keratinization of epithelial cells, which causes follicular hyperkeratosis, growth delay, weakened immune system and infertility. The scientific literature currently provides little information regarding the numerous aspects of hypovitaminosis A in the Brazilian scenario, in addition, there are few studies that use the analysis of public report records. Thus, it is considered important to analyze the profile of current hospitalizations of individuals with vitamin A deficiency. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study with a quantitative approach of hospitalizations for hypovitaminosis A registered in the SUS Hospital Information System ( SIH/SUS). The analysis was based on the number of hospitalizations based on the variables: year of processing 2015 to 2022, region, sex, age group, color/race and death. To analyze and create tables and graphs, Microsoft Office Excel ® software was used, associated with absolute and relative frequency calculations. Between 2015 and 2022, 169 hospitalizations for vitamin A deficiency were recorded in Brazil. The Northeast leads hospitalizations with 44.3% of cases, followed by the Southeast (34.3%), Midwest (8.8%), North (7.6%) and South (4.7%). The elderly in the age group above 60 years represent 17.7%, followed by the age group 70-79 years and 50-59 years, with 17.1% and 15.9%, respectively. With regard to deaths, it was observed that the Northeast and Southeast regions registered equivalent values, both representing 2,3%. The elderly group, as well as pregnant women and preschoolers, should be considered as a group of high nutritional vulnerability. Therefore, health education strategies are needed to expand and build knowledge about food and nutritional needs involved in the population aging process.