Hospitalization of children for asthma in the Brazilian Amazon: trend and spatial distribution

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the distribution of hospitalizations of children for asthma in the states comprising the Brazilian Amazon, as well as the variations of hospitalization according to climatic seasonality. Methods:A descriptive study of the distribution of hospitalizations for asthma of individuals aged 0 to 14 years living in the Brazilian Amazon, according to trend, spatial distribution, and climatic seasonality over the period from 2001 to 2007. We used the database of authorizations for hospitalizations (AIH) of the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Results:The spatial distribution of hospitalizations for asthma resembles the configuration of the "arc of deforestation," mainly in the states of Rondônia and Maranhão. The distribution of annual hospitalizations for asthma decreased from 8.1 to 2.6 hospitalizations/1,000 inhabitants during the period. There was a peak of hospitalizations in March and May in all states. The seasonal differences were on average 10%, with the highest rates during the rainy season. Conclusion:We concluded that hospitalizations for asthma are more frequent in the months of more intense rainfall, with greater magnitude in the states comprising the "arc of deforestation" in the Brazilian Amazon, especially Rondônia and Maranhão.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2009;85(6):541-546: Asthma, Amazon, hospitalization, children, spatial distribution. ResumoObjetivo: Analisar a distribuição das internações hospitalares por asma em crianças nos estados que compõem a Amazônia brasileira e as variações das internações segundo a sazonalidade climática. Resultados: A distribuição espacial das hospitalizações por asma assemelha-se à configuração do arco do desmatamento, com destaque para os estados de Maranhão e Rondônia. As hospitalizações anuais por asma decresceram de 8,1 para 2,6 internações por mil habitantes no decorrer do período estudado. Verifica-se um pico de internações nos meses de março e maio em todos os estados. As diferenças sazonais alcançaram em média 10% do conjunto das unidades da federação, com as maiores taxas no período chuvoso. Métodos Conclusão:Conclui-se que as hospitalizações por asma em crianças são mais frequentes nos meses chuvosos, com maior magnitude nos estados que compõem o arco do desmatamento da Amazônia brasileira, especialmente Rondônia e Maranhão.

Drought impacts on children's respiratory health in the Brazilian Amazon

“…These particles are extremely hazardous to human health since, when inhaled, they may reach deep in the lungs8, causing irritation of the throat, lungs and eyes9. Within Amazonia the primary location for fires is around the southern and eastern periphery: the arc of deforestation, where around 85% of fires occur10: emitting as much as 300–600 μg/m 3 of PM 10 per 24 hours11 and up to 400 μg/m 3 of PM 2.5 per 24 hours12 during the dry season. These particulates represent around 60% of PM released during biomass burning7.…”

Critical linkages between land use change and human health in the Amazon region: A scoping review

“…Eight out of 14 papers described negative relationships between LUC and health [ 25 – 32 ], one depicted positive [ 33 ], and five demonstrated neutral/mix correlations [ 13 , 34 – 37 ]. The most common health issue was lung health [ 13 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 36 ], followed by mosquito-borne illnesses [ 13 , 31 ] and rabies [ 26 , 37 ].…”

“…Multiple papers looked at lung diseases [ 29 , 33 , 34 , 36 ]. Brazil has implemented burning and deforestation restrictions in many areas in order to minimize poor air quality impacts and to help control escaped fires.…”

“…In Theobroma, Rondônia, measurements taken during burning season found particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) levels above Brazilian and/or U.S National Ambient Air Quality standards, CO levels comparable to urban areas (despite sampling taking place in a rural village), and elevated benzene and HCHO levels when compared to other rural areas around the world [ 29 ]. Another paper reported hospitalizations for children for asthma in the Brazilian Amazon increased in the arc of deforestation, though this could be explained by the rainy season and the resulting increase in fungi and mites [ 36 ]. In contrast, when assessing the number of admissions due to pneumonia and its relationship with fires in the Mato Grosso, one study [ 34 ] found that hospital admissions were randomly distributed through the municipalities, showing no apparent correlation with biomass burning [ 34 ].…”

Varredura espaço-temporal para identificação de áreas de risco para hospitalização de crianças por asma em Mato Grosso

“…Silva et al 4 and Rodrigues et al 5 analyzed the spatial distribution of hospital admissions for asthma in the Amazonia region using the Kernel density estimation as spatial analysis technique. Other studies 6,7 have reported efficacy of spatial interpolation for studies on the influence of variables on asthma occurrence.…”