Abstract Objective Describe the
epidemiological profile and social-
economic burden that
hydrocephalus patients represent to the national
public health system, using data available at the online database of the Brazilian
Health Ministry (DataSUS).
Methods This is a populational study based on descriptive
statistics of all clinical and surgical
appointments included in the DataSUS database. Data included herein were collected between 2015 and 2021 and subdivided into three main groups, related to
hydrocephalus incidence and
mortality,
hospitalizations, and financial
costs. Results In the study period, 3993 new cases of
congenital hydrocephalus were diagnosed, with 6051 deaths overall. The mortality rate in the country was 1.5/100000
live births and the
prevalence was 0.374/100000 inhabitants. The number of
hospitalizations resulting from
treatment procedures and
complications of
hydrocephalus was 137,880 and there was a reduction of up to 27.2% during the
SARS-CoV-2 pandemics concerning previous years. Total
costs for
hydrocephalus management in the country amounted to 140,610,585.51 dollars. Conclusions
Hydrocephalus has a significant impact on
public health budgets and pediatric
mortality rates; however, it is probably underestimated, due to the paucity of
demographic data and
epidemiological studies in
Latin America and, specifically, in
Brazil. The dataSUS also has several limitations in accessing certain data related to
hydrocephalus, making it difficult to have a more assertive
understanding of the
disease in
Brazil. The results of this study provide important guidance for
future research projects in clinical and experimental
hydrocephalus and also the creation of
public policies for better
governance and care of
hydrocephalus patients.