Epidemiological analysis of hospitalizations of children with strabismus in São Paulo, Brazil

Objective:  To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to strabismus among children aged 0-9 years in the state of São Paulo.

Methods:  Data were retrieved from the SIH/SUS database, via DTASUS in March 2025. Records containing a strabismus diagnosis (ICD-10 code: H50) were extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results:  A total of 4,142 hospitalizations were recorded, 71.8% of which occurred in children aged 5 to 9 years; 27.7% in children aged 1 to 4 years, and 0.5% in children under 1 year of age. The highest number of hospitalizations occurred in 2015, while the lowest number was observed in 2021. Most hospitalizations involved white children and were elective procedures. Although the care setting was often unspecified, the majority were performed in public healthcare services.

Conclusion:  The findings suggest that interventions tend to occur at later ages, highlighting the importance of early detection programs and public health policies that ensure equitable access to ophthalmic care.

Keywords:
Strabismus; Morbidity; Health profile; Unified Health System; Hospitalization