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Temporal trends in hospitalization due to pediatric thyroid cancer in Chile: a population-based analysis from 2001 to
Insights
Pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalizations in Chile have significantly increased, particularly among adolescents, over two decades. This trend highlights evolving clinical practices and epidemiological factors influencing childhood cancer rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Global rise in pediatric thyroid cancer incidence.
- Scarcity of long-term population data from Latin America.
- Limited characterization of hospitalization trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine national trends in pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalization rates in Chile (2001-2024).
- Assess variations by age, sex, insurance type, and treatment.
- Analyze hospitalization data for children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective population-based study using Chile's national hospital discharge registry.
- Identified pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalizations (ICD-10 code C73) for ages 1-19.
- Calculated age/sex-specific rates and temporal trends using regression analyses (Prais-Winsten, Poisson).
Main Results:
- 2,078 hospitalizations recorded; rates increased from 0.48 to 2.46 per 100,000.
- Significant increases observed in adolescents, not in younger children.
- Average annual increase of 4.7% (IRR=1.047), highest in adolescent males (6.8%).
Conclusions:
- Substantial rise in pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalizations in Chile over 20 years.
- Adolescents are the primary driver of this increasing trend.
- Findings suggest evolving clinical management and broader epidemiological influences.
Introduction:
The incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer has increased globally; however, long-term population-based data from Latin America remain scarce, and hospitalization-based trends are poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to examine national trends in thyroid cancer hospitalization rates among children and adolescents in Chile between 2001 and 2024 and to assess variations by age, sex, health insurance type, and treatment patterns.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective population-based study using Chile's mandatory national hospital discharge registry, which includes all public and private hospital admissions. Pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalizations (ICD-10 code C73) were identified in individuals aged 1-19 years. Age- and sex-specific hospitalization rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated using national population estimates. Temporal trends were evaluated using Prais-Winsten regression to estimate absolute annual rate changes, Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and calculation of the average annual percentage change (AAPC).
Results:
Between 2001 and 2024, 2,078 pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalizations were recorded (2.8% of all thyroid cancer admissions). Hospitalization rates increased from 0.48 to 2.46 per 100,000 inhabitants. Rates remained low and stable among children aged 1-9 years but increased significantly among adolescents. Prais-Winsten regression demonstrated an average annual absolute increase of 0.08 hospitalizations per 100,000 (p < .001), and Poisson regression showed a 4.7% annual relative increase (IRR = 1.047, p < .001). The highest AAPCs were observed among adolescent males (6.8%) and females (4.8%). Surgical management increased over time, whereas median length of stay remained stable.
Conclusions:
Pediatric thyroid cancer hospitalization rates in Chile have risen substantially over two decades, driven primarily by adolescents. These findings likely reflect both evolving clinical management and broader epidemiologic factors.
