TRENDS IN MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL (2019–2024)

Abstract

Malnutrition in childhood and adolescence remains an important public health issue, with significant impacts on growth, development, and mortality. This study aimed to analyze hospitalizations due to malnutrition among children and adolescents in Southern Brazil from 2019 to 2024, describing temporal trends and epidemiological profile. This is a descriptive observational epidemiological study based on secondary data from the Brazilian Unified Health System Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). The variables analyzed included year of hospitalization, sex, race/ethnicity, age group, and number of deaths. A total of 4,274 hospitalizations were recorded during the study period. A reduction was observed in 2020, possibly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced access to health services, followed by an increase in 2021 and stabilization at higher levels between 2022 and 2024. There was a slight predominance of males (51.6%). Regarding race/ethnicity, most cases occurred among white individuals (71.8%), followed by mixed-race and Black individuals, reflecting both the regional demographic composition and social inequalities associated with nutritional risk. Age-group analysis showed a marked concentration of hospitalizations among children under one year of age (64%), followed by those aged 1–4 years (16.4%), highlighting the greater vulnerability in early childhood. A total of 39 deaths were recorded, corresponding to an approximate lethality rate of 0.9%. These findings indicate that malnutrition remains a relevant condition in Southern Brazil, predominantly affecting the first years of life and associated with social determinants of health. Strengthening nutritional surveillance, expanding access to primary health care, and implementing intersectoral food security policies are essential to reduce preventable hospitalizations and protect child health.