Pediatric asthma: Epidemiological profile of hospitalizations among children aged 0 to 9 years in the Southeast region of Brazil (2016–2025)

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease and a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in childhood. Analyzing hospital admissions helps understand their epidemiological distribution and supports prevention and care strategies, including the role of multidisciplinary teams. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospital admissions for asthma among children aged 0 to 9 years in the Southeast Region of Brazil between 2016 and 2025, and to discuss, based on scientific literature, the contribution of pulmonary physiotherapy to the care of these patients. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study based on secondary data from the Unified Health System’s Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), made available by the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The study analyzed hospital admissions for children aged 0 to 9 years residing in the Southeast Region of Brazil between 2016 and 2025, with asthma as the primary diagnosis—identified by code J45 of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10). The variables considered were year of processing, state of residence, age group, sex, and number of admissions. Data were extracted in September 2026, organized in Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, with absolute and relative frequencies presented in tables and graphs. The annual distribution of admissions was used to describe variations observed during the period, without performing statistical trend tests. As the data were public, aggregated, and non-identifiable, the research was exempt from review by the CEP/CONEP system, in accordance with CNS Resolution No. 510/2016. Results: Variations in hospitalization rates were observed over the period, with a significant decline in 2020, followed by an increase starting in 2021 and sustained high numbers in subsequent years. São Paulo and Minas Gerais accounted for the largest share of admissions, and males predominated. As suggested by the literature, the observed temporal changes in hospitalizations may be linked to shifts in respiratory virus circulation and exposure to triggering factors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, although these aspects were not directly evaluated in the present study. Pulmonary physical therapy can be integrated into multidisciplinary care in a complementary and individualized manner, particularly in cases involving respiratory abnormalities, reduced physical conditioning, and functional limitations. Conclusion: Childhood asthma continues to drive a significant demand for hospital care in the Southeast Region. Strengthening prevention, controller therapy, longitudinal follow-up, and multidisciplinary care could help reduce severe exacerbations and potentially avoidable hospitalizations.