Epidemiological profile of probable dengue cases in the pediatric age group in Brazil from 2018 to 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is a disease caused by an arbovirus of the genus Flavivirus, in the family Flaviviridae. The primary vector for this disease in Brazil is the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Objective: To identify the epidemiological profile of probable dengue cases in the 0-19 age group from 2018 to 2024 in Brazil, as reported by the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Methodology: A quantitative, retrospective, and descriptive study conducted using the SINAN database from 2018 to 2024. Results: There were 3,101,786 cases, 52% of which were male, with the highest number of cases in the Southeast Region (52.2%) and a predominance among those aged 15 to 19 (34.66%). The lowest number of reported cases occurred in 2020 and 2021. The year 2024 had the highest incidence rate, accounting for 50.63% of cases, with serotype DENV-1 (70.89%) being the most common. Most cases (99.66%) resolved completely. Conclusion: Most reported dengue cases occurred in adolescents. There was a predominance in the Southeast region and of the DENV-1 serotype. A lower number of reported cases was observed during the years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Most patients recovered completely, supporting the notion that dengue, in most cases, presents with classic symptoms and is a self-limiting disease.