Epidemiological profile and seasonality of hospital morbidity and mortality due to asthma, with emphasis on the pediatric population of the state of Maranhão (2016–2025)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile and seasonal pattern of hospital admissions due to asthma in the pediatric population of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, from 2016 to 2025. Methods: This ecological, descriptive, and time-series study was conducted using secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), obtained through DATASUS. Hospital admissions due to asthma among pediatric individuals were analyzed according to the following variables: number of hospitalizations, age group, health macro-region, and temporal distribution of cases. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: During the study period, a total of 47,977 asthma-related hospital admissions were recorded in Maranhão, of which 28,545 occurred in the pediatric population, with the highest concentration among children aged 1 to 4 years and predominance in the Northern Health Macro-region. The historical series showed higher values between 2016 and 2019, a reduction in 2020 and 2021, and an increase from 2022 onward. A seasonal pattern of hospital admissions was observed, with higher occurrence between March and June and lower frequencies during the second half of the year. This pattern was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in subsequent years. Conclusion: Asthma-related hospital admissions showed a well-defined seasonal pattern, with greater impact during the first years of life. The temporary interruption of this pattern reinforces the influence of environmental factors on the behavior of the disease.