Epidemiological analysis of pediatric epilepsy in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2020-2025

Abstract

Background: Epileptic seizures are among the most common neurological manifestations in childhood and represent an important cause of morbidity. Childhood epilepsy contributes substantially to the global burden of neurological disorders and remains a major challenge for healthcare systems. Epileptic seizures are transient episodes characterized by motor, sensory, autonomic, or cognitive manifestations, resulting from abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder defined by two or more unprovoked seizures occurring at least 24 hours apart; by a single unprovoked seizure associated with a ≥60% risk of recurrence; or by the diagnosis of a specific epileptic syndrome. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations and mortality related to epilepsy among children in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from January 2020 to May 2025. Methods: Descriptive, ecological, and retrospective study using secondary data from the DATASUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) platform, based on hospital records of individuals aged 0-19 years, with variables included sex, age, group, race/ethnicity, and mortality in the last 5 years. Results: Between 2020 and 2025, 3,597 pediatric hospitalizations for epilepsy were recorded in Espírito Santo. There was a predominance of male patients (55.2%) compared to female patients (44.8%). The most affected age group was 1-4 years, with 35.55% of cases, while adolescents between 15 and 19 years old represented the smallest proportion, with 9.61%. Regarding race/color, most cases occurred among mixed-race children (82.4%), followed by white children (10.9%) and black children (2.36%). During the study period, 28 deaths were recorded, with a higher proportion of deaths among children under 1 year of age (7 deaths) and between 1 and 4 years of age (8 deaths). Conclusion: Pediatric epilepsy represents an important cause of hospitalization in Espírito Santo, with a higher proportion among boys, especially between 1 and 4 years of age, and a predominance among children classified as mixed-race. These findings highlight the epidemiological burden of pediatric epilepsy in the region and may contribute to public health planning and resource allocation, improve the understanding of regional epidemiological patterns, and support the development of targeted public health strategies for affected children.