Hospital admissions and headache costs in children and adolescents in Brazil: An ecological study from 2013 to 2023.

Abstract

Headaches during childhood and adolescence are highly prevalent in Brazil and influenced by factors such as gender and age. The diagnosis, particularly of migraines, poses significant challenges, while treatment often involves a combination of pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications. This ecological, descriptive, and comparative study retrospectively analyzed data on hospitalizations due to headaches among children and adolescents in Brazil between 2013 and 2023, using information from the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). The analysis examined the number and costs of hospitalizations for migraines and other headache syndromes, focusing on variables such as region, age group, sex, and color/race. The study covered the entire national territory and assessed regional disparities. During the study period, Brazil reported 17,924 hospitalizations, with adolescents aged 15 to 19 years accounting for the highest prevalence (43.88%). Total expenditure reached BRL 6,499,792.90, with this age group incurring the highest costs. Findings underscored regional and gender disparities, with the Southeast region reporting the highest number of hospitalizations and a greater impact observed among females (62.3%). Understanding the epidemiological patterns of headaches in children and adolescents is critical for enhancing public health strategies, improving care delivery, and developing effective preventive measures.