Analysis of the Incidence Profile of Leprosy in Children and Adolescents aged 1 to 14 in the State of Pará, Compared to the North Region between 2014 and 2024.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease of low pathogenicity, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, considered a public health problem¹. Due to its high infectivity, it is a disease of compulsory notification and mandatory investigation². Although leprosy is more prevalent in adults, the incidence of new cases in children and adolescents is significant³. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence profile of leprosy in children and adolescents aged 1 to 14 years in the state of Pará, comparing data from the North region between 2014 and 2024 to map the profile of the disease. METHODS: This is a descriptive and quantitative epidemiological study, which used data obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), available in DATASUS. The information deals with confirmed cases of leprosy in children and adolescents aged 10 to 14 in the North Region from 2014 to 2024. The following variables were used: year of diagnosis, age group, federation unit and color/race. RESULTS: It was observed that, of the total of 1066 confirmed cases, the state of Pará registered the highest number of cases (735), followed by the states of Tocantins (130) and Amazonas (109). The lowest incidence occurred in 2024 (41) and the highest number occurred in 2014 (182). There were 13 cases registered in the age group of 1-4 years and 773 cases between 10-14 years. Regarding color/race, the number of confirmed cases was higher in the brown population (825). CONCLUSION: The year 2014 recorded the highest number of cases, with a decrease in incidence in the following years, with 2024 being the year with the lowest number of diagnoses. Despite this reduction, the data indicate a considerable prevalence among children and adolescents in the age group of 10 to 14 years, predominantly among mixed-race people. These data highlight the need for specific public policies and health programs aimed at early diagnosis and treatment, especially in endemic regions such as Pará, to prevent the progression of the disease and its complications. Therefore, the lower notifications in recent years is a positive indicator, but continued efforts are essential to eradicate the disease.