How the COVID-19 pandemic affected cases of exogenous poisoning in Brazilian pediatrics: a comparative epidemiological analysis in children aged 0-14 years in 2019 and 2020
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Abstract
Introdução: Exogenous intoxication occurs due to the interaction of the body with harmful substances. In pediatrics, this organic disorder is a public health problem and happens mainly accidentally at home. With the Covid-19 pandemic, social isolation promoted an increase in children’s vulnerability, due to the length of stay at home associated with greater exposure. Objective: To analyze the correlation between the number of cases of exogenous poisoning in pediatrics in Brazil and the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive-quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out on the number of cases of exogenous poisoning found in the DATASUS/TABNET system between 2019 and 2020 referring to the pediatric age group 0-14 years. Results: There was a decrease from 32,514 cases of exogenous poisoning in 2019 to 7,868 in 2020. In both years, the most affected age group was 1-4 years, with percentages of 47.12% of cases in 2019 and 48, 18% in 2020. The Southeast and Northeast regions have the highest number of notifications, as they have larger populations; the Northeast with the highest incidence rate in 2019 and 2020. The main causative agents recorded in the two years analyzed were drugs, firstly, followed by household products. Conclusions: It is believed that this drop in the number of cases of exogenous poisoning in 2020 is related to underreporting, requiring further studies
for data analysis. In addition, preventive and educational measures related to the exposure of children to these agents are necessary.
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References
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