EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS DUE TO MALNUTRITION IN BRAZIL FROM 2020 TO 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is an important public health problem resulting from the interaction of biological, social, economic, and environmental factors. It may present different clinical manifestations and disproportionately affect vulnerable population groups. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to malnutrition in Brazil between 2020 and 2025. Methods: This was an ecological, descriptive, retrospective study based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), provided by DATASUS through the TABNET platform. Hospitalizations, deaths, and hospital mortality rates were analyzed according to year, region, federative unit, sex, age group, and race/skin color. Results: A total of 148,479 hospitalizations and 19,468 deaths due to malnutrition were recorded in Brazil, corresponding to an overall hospital mortality rate of 13.11%. The highest number of hospitalizations occurred in 2023, whereas 2025 presented the lowest number. The Southeast region accounted for the highest frequency of hospitalizations (61,996; 41.76%). Hospitalizations were more frequent among males. Individuals aged 80 years or older presented the highest frequency of hospitalizations and deaths, as well as the highest hospital mortality rate (22.52%). The brown/mixed-race population accounted for the highest absolute number of hospitalizations and deaths, while the Black population presented the highest mortality rate (15.50%). Conclusion: Malnutrition remains associated with significant hospital morbidity and mortality in Brazil, with heterogeneous distribution according to regional and sociodemographic characteristics. These findings reinforce the need to strengthen food and nutritional surveillance, prevention, and healthcare strategies for the most vulnerable groups.