(P07-017-25) Malaria and Nutritional Status (Malnutrition) in Brazilian Children, Results From the Global Burden Disease Study 2021

Objectives: Malaria, one of the most serious parasitic infections, affects half of the world's population. Studies suggest that malnourished children, whose immune systems are compromised, may have an increased risk of infection. This study analyzes the relationship between malaria and malnutrition in children across the five Brazilian regions.

Methods: Data from the GBD 2021 (GBD Compare Tool) were used to estimate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to malaria attributable to behavioral risks in Brazil. Rates are reported per 100,000 population, along with 95% uncertainty intervals for each region.

Results: Low child weight due to malaria was associated with 257.25 DALYs, representing 0.00033% of total DALYs in Brazil and a rate of 0.12 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. Child short stature was linked to 95.05 DALYs, representing 0.00012% of total DALYs, with a rate of 0.043 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In the North region, childhood underweight accounted for 216.28 DALYs, with a rate of 1.09 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. For childhood stunting, 75.16 DALYs were recorded, with a rate of 0.38 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. The Northeast region showed the highest DALYs: childhood underweight accounted for 27.07 DALYs, corresponding to a rate of 0.042 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants, while childhood stunting contributed 15.53 DALYs, with a rate of 0.024 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In the Central-West region, childhood stunting had an impact of 11.13 DALYs, with a rate of 0.067 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In the Southeast, childhood underweight contributed 2.3 DALYs, with a rate of 0.0026 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. Childhood stunting had an impact of 0.1 DALYs, equivalent to a rate of 0.00012 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In the South, childhood underweight accounted for 0.48 DALYs, with a rate of 0.0016 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants, while childhood stunting had a burden of 0.019 DALYs, with a rate of 0.000062 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants.

Conclusions: The highest DALY rates are concentrated in the North and Northeast regions, likely reflecting regional health inequalities and endemic conditions. Integrated interventions focusing on malaria prevention and improving children's nutritional status are essential.

Funding Sources: This study was funded by CAPES and the Espírito Santo Research Foundation (FAPES).