Infant mortality due to nervous system diseases in the Maranhão, Brazil: 2011–2020

*Correspondence: [e-mail].

Abstract

Background: Infant mortality is a public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. In these countries, diseases of the nervous system are one of the main causes of mortality in children.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of infant mortality due to nervous system diseases in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, during the period from 2011 to 2020.

Methods: The data for this study were obtained from SIM, provided by the Ministry of Health of Brazil.

Results: During the analyzed period, a total of 1,087 deaths occurred, with the majority occurring in male children, representing 58.2% (639) of the cases. The age group most affected was between 10 and 19 years, 37.2% (409) of the deaths. There was a higher frequency of deaths among mixed-race children, representing 62.2% (677) of the cases. The majority of deaths occurred in a hospital setting, representing 70.6% (767) of cases. The nervous system disease most frequently associated with infant mortality, according to the categories of the CID-10, was cerebral palsy, representing 28.6% (311) of deaths. Other relevant diseases were hydrocephalus and other brain disorders, representing 16.02% (174) and 13.9% (152) of deaths, respectively.

Conclusion: Thus, the results demonstrate a relevant incidence of infant deaths due to nervous system diseases in the state of Maranhão, given the high number of deaths in male adolescents between the age group of 10 to 19 years and among brown children. These deaths also characterize a prevalence in hospital environments, with the main causes of mortality being cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2025