Trend of Pertussis Mortality and Hospitalizations in Brazilian Children From 1996 to 2023: An Ecological Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly in vulnerable pediatric populations.
• Understanding temporal trends in pertussis incidence, mortality, and hospitalization is crucial for effective disease surveillance and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiological trends of pertussis-related mortality and hospitalizations among children in Brazil.
• To identify specific time periods of increased pertussis burden and evaluate post-peak trends from 1996 to 2023.

Main Methods:

• This ecological time-trend study utilized national health data from DATASUS.
• Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to determine statistically significant changes in annual percent change (APC) for mortality and hospitalization rates.

Main Results:

• The study recorded 714 deaths and 31,307 hospitalizations due to pertussis in Brazilian children.
• Infants under one year old were disproportionately affected, accounting for 97.76% of deaths and 87.78% of hospitalizations.
• A notable peak in pertussis mortality (APC: 70.9%) and hospitalizations (APC: 89.8%) occurred between 2009-2013, followed by significant declines from 2013 onwards (Mortality APC: -41.2%; Hospitalizations APC: -27.6%).

Conclusions:

• Pertussis presented a distinct peak in mortality and hospitalizations in Brazilian children between 2009/2010 and 2013.
• A substantial and statistically significant decline in pertussis burden has been observed since 2013, indicating the potential effectiveness of control measures.