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Pediatric Environmental Health In Brazil and Latin America: An Appraisal and Future Perspectives

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Authors sought to survey the research on pediatric environmental health in Brazil and Latin America, in recent years, as well as initiatives of WHO and PAHO, governments and scientific societies, to draw attention to the impact of environmental pollution and climate change over children’s health.

Recent Findings

A robust volume of studies demonstrate that, from the Amazon basin to the southeast and south of our country, threats to the environment have been demonstrated, such as contamination of rivers by heavy metals and pesticides, which also compromise the soil and food, and directly the health of rural workers and their families. Furthermore, deforestation and climate change have contributed to the increase in vector borne infectious diseases, trough the benefit for the reproduction of mosquitoes and interaction with viruses they carry.

Summary

We emphasize the importance of these studies, both basic and epidemiological research, as well as clinical studies, so that we have an outlook of environmental health in pediatrics in Brazil. Also remember the environmental catastrophes that occurred in iron mining areas, such as Mariana and Brumadinho, and consequences for the population of the regions affected, and future generations. The work of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, in disseminating information to pediatricians and the population in the subject is highlighted. In near future, we seek to include environmental health in pediatrics medical residency programs in the country, and creation of specific units for the diagnosis and treatment of cases of children and adolescents, with suspected or confirmed exposure to chemical agents and environmental pollutants, in reference hospitals of the state capitals.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Acknowledgements

The autors wish to acknowlege the full support from the Presidents of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, Prof.Dr. Luciana Rodrigues Silva and Prof.Dr. Clóvis Constantino, since 2016 until now, in order to the development of the field of Pediatric Environmental Health in Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scientific Department of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Brazilian Pediatric Society SBP Board Certified in Medical Toxicology by the Brazilian Medical Association AMB, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90670-020, Brazil

    Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva

  2. Board Certified Medical Toxicologist by the Brazilian Medical Association AMB, MSc in Toxicology by the University of São Paulo USP, Former Director of the Poison Control Center of , São Paulo City, Brazil

    Ligia Véras Gimenez Fruchtengarten

  3. Medical Toxicology, School of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University UFF, Member of the Scientific Department of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Brazilian Pediatric Society, SBP, Niterói, Brazil

    Rinaldo Souza Tavares

  4. Pediatrician and Medical Toxicologist, Board Certified in Medical Toxicology by the Brazilian Medical Association, AMB, Medical Toxicologist of the Poison Control Center, University Hospital, State University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

    Camila Prado

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  1. Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva
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Contributions

All authors contribute equally to the manuscript and have read the final version.Dr. LIgia Fruchtengarten MD, MsC was in charge of the last read and comments.Dr. Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva MD made the final adjustments and carry on the task of fulfill the journal requirements.

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Correspondence to Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva.

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Mello-da-Silva, C.A., Fruchtengarten, L.V.G., Tavares, R.S. et al. Pediatric Environmental Health In Brazil and Latin America: An Appraisal and Future Perspectives. Curr Pediatr Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-024-00318-6

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