Hospital Geral de Nova Iguaçu reports surge in pediatric respiratory hospitalizations

The Hospital Geral de Nova Iguaçu (HGNI) reported 409 pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases in 2026. Between April and July, 338 of these cases occurred, accounting for 82.6% of the hospital's pediatric respiratory admissions.

Most patients are between a few months and 3 years old. Primary diagnoses include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, and influenza. The surge in cases between April and July is attributed to falling temperatures, drier weather, and increased time spent in enclosed spaces, which facilitate the transmission of viruses and bacteria.

Monthly admissions in the pediatric ward rose from 36 in March to 110 in June, before decreasing to 71 in July. While the seasonal increase has been significant, the hospital has not recorded any deaths related to respiratory diseases among pediatric patients. Health officials noted that young children are particularly vulnerable due to developing immune systems and narrower airways.