Distribuição espaço temporal da sífilis congênita no Brasil entre 2012 e 2021

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the spatiotemporal distribution of congenital syphilis (CS) cases in Brazil between 2012 and 2021, as well as to estimate and analyze the incidence rate and mortality coefficient of this disease and describe the epidemiological profile of the reported cases. Methods: Ecological study with data from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System, analyzing CS cases in the five macro-regions of Brazil from 2012 to 2021. The profile was investigated according to sex, color/race, age group, final classification, and case outcome. The incidence rates of congenital syphilis in each region of Brazil were calculated and analyzed, as well as the mortality coefficients for this condition. Results: A total of 179,002 cases of CS were reported. The incidence increased from 2012 to 2018, being highest in the Southeast (6.7/1,000 live births (LB)) and lowest in the Central-West (4.2/1,000 LB), with a higher concentration in the capitals Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Mortality varied, being highest in the Southeast (14/100,000 LB) and lowest in the North (6.1/100,000 LB). Most cases occurred in newborn females (50.4%), aged 0 to 6 days (95.2%), of brown race (52.8%), with recent congenital syphilis (99.8%), and a live outcome (97.5%). Conclusion: Congenital syphilis is severe but preventable, highlighting the urgent need for interventions in Brazil. The high incidence, especially in the Southeast, Northeast, and South regions, and the predominance of cases among brown and white children suggest regional and racial inequalities in access to adequate prenatal care.