Diarrhea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin in the pediatric population: Analysis of the epidemiological profile in the regions of Brazil from 2019 to 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhea and infectious gastroenteritis of presumptive origin (ICD A09) represent one of the main public health challenges, especially in Brazil. Thus, this condition is responsible for a significant number of hospitalizations and deaths, mainly in children and adolescents. In this sense, its transmission often occurs through the ingestion of contaminated water and food, demonstrating the precariousness of Brazilian basic sanitation. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to diarrhea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin in the pediatric population in Brazil between 2019 and 2024. Methodology: This is a descriptive ecological study based on secondary data extracted from the Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), which analyzed the number of notifications of hospitalization due to diarrhea and gastroenteritis of predictable origin in the pediatric population (0 to 19 years old), in the period from 2019 to 2024. The data were collected in March 2025, with tables organized in the Microsoft Office Excel program (version 2010). Results and Discussion: During the analyzed period, 315,260 cases of hospitalization due to diarrhea and predictable infectious gastroenteritis were reported in children and adolescents up to 19 years of age in Brazil. In this scenario, the Northeast Region was the area with the highest number of notifications, totaling 120,744 cases. There was a predominance of males in the distribution by sex, with 165,981 cases. It was observed that in relation to race, the brown population was the most affected, with 193,496 hospitalizations. The results obtained reveal a high incidence of cases in the age group of 1 to 4 years. In addition, the number of deaths was 423 cases. Conclusion: It was observed that the most affected pediatric group are the youngest, demonstrating a fragility in the protection of children. Furthermore, the northern state represents the most affected geographic area of the country, highlighting the importance of implementing public policies aimed at reducing hospitalizations and deaths due to diarrhea and gastroenteritis in the pediatric population.