Leprosy remains endemic in Brazil, and cases in children (<15 years) are sensitive indicators of active transmission and failures in disease control (MENESES et al., 2025). This study analyzed temporal trends, geographic distribution, disability grades, and clinical forms of leprosy in this population between 2010 and 2024. Descriptive study using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). A total of 28,861 confirmed cases in children aged 0–14 years notified between 2010 and 2024 were included. Variables analyzed were year of diagnosis, federative unit, physical disability grade at diagnosis (WHO system), and clinical form. A downward trend was observed, with a peak in 2010 (n=2,812) and a sharp decline in 2020 (n=1,059), followed by partial recovery in 2023–2024 (n=1,139 and n=1,040). Geographic distribution was heterogeneous, concentrated in the Northeast and North regions: Maranhão (17.1%; n=4,930), Pará (15.8%; n=4,559), and Pernambuco (11.0%; n=3,161) were the most affected states. Regarding physical disability, 75.2% (n=21.875) had grade zero, 12.0% (n=3,499) grade I and 3,2% (n=944) grade II; 6.1% (n=1,783) were not evaluated. The predominant clinical form was borderline (40.1%; n=11,568), followed by indeterminate (24.5%; n=7.069) and tuberculoid (21.9%;n=6.313) Despite an overall reduction, the disease burden remains high, with marked regional disparities and evidence of late diagnosis, as indicated by 15.2% with physical disabilities and predominance of multibacillary forms. The decline in 2020 suggests pandemic-related underreporting, while recent recovery underscores the need for strengthened surveillance. Targeted strategies in hyperendemic regions are urgently needed to interrupt transmission and achieve elimination.
Skonetzky et al. (Sun,) studied this question.