Perfil epidemiológico das internações por leucemia no estado o Espírito Santo em crianças e adolescentes no período de 2020 a 2023: um estudo retrospectivo

Abstract

Leukemia is the most common malignant neoplasm affecting children and adolescents in Brazil, accounting for approximately 30% of all childhood cancer cases. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the epidemiological profile of leukemia-related hospitalizations and deaths among children and adolescents in the state of Espírito Santo from 2020 to 2023, emphasizing the magnitude and severity of the disease. This is an observational, descriptive, and quantitative study based on secondary data obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Oncology Panel of DATASUS. A total of 142 cases and 59 deaths from leukemia were recorded in individuals aged 0 to 19 years, resulting in an overall lethality rate of 41.5%. Myeloid leukemia showed a significantly higher lethality (66.7%) compared to lymphoid leukemia (33.9%), with a peak in mortality observed in 2021 (40.7%), possibly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Most affected were males (59.2%), children aged 2 to 5 years (33.8%), and residents of the metropolitan region (47.2%). The findings underscore the considerable impact of leukemia during childhood and adolescence in Espírito Santo, reinforcing the urgent need for early diagnosis, improved access to specialized treatment, and the strengthening of the pediatric oncology care network in the region.