ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RAINFALL AND PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT, BRAZIL, 2024

Abstract

Introduction: The Federal District of Brazil has a tropical climate with marked rainy and dry seasons that influence childhood respiratory morbidity. The dry season, characterized by low humidity and increased airborne particles, is associated with worsening respiratory conditions in infants. Objective: To assess the association between rainfall and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases (ICD-10 J00–J99) among infants under one year of age in the Federal District, Brazil, during 2024. Methods: Ecological and retrospective study using data from SIH/DATASUS and INMET. A total of 5,266 respiratory hospitalizations of infants were analyzed. Pearson correlation and Mann–Whitney U test (p<0.05) were applied. Results: Hospitalizations markedly increased during the dry months (April–September), showing a significant inverse correlation between rainfall and respiratory admissions (r = –0.73; p = 0.006). Conclusion: Reduced rainfall was strongly associated with increased respiratory hospitalizations in infants, highlighting the climatic impact on child health in the Federal District.