MORTALITY PROFILE FROM PEDIATRIC BONE NEOPLASIA IN MINAS GERAIS (2015-2024).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the profile of deaths from malignant neoplasms of bones and articular cartilage in the pediatric population of Minas Gerais (2015-2024), considering sociodemographic, clinical, epidemiological, and regional aspects. METHODS: Epidemiological, documentary, descriptive, and retrospective study with a census design, including deaths of individuals aged 0-19 years residing in Minas Gerais (ICD-10 C40-C41) registered in SIM/DATASUS. Variables analyzed included sex, age, race/color, municipality, place of death, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs. Descriptive statistics were used with frequencies, percentages, and mortality rates. RESULTS: There were 3,883 hospitalizations and 79 deaths, predominating male patients (57.7% of hospitalizations; 59.5% of deaths), adolescents aged 10-19 years, and individuals of mixed race/color (pardo). Belo Horizonte accounted for most hospitalizations and deaths, while Juiz de Fora had high hospitalization rates but low mortality. Longer hospital stays were observed in female patients and those under 1 year; the highest costs were among adolescents aged 10-14 years. Hospitalizations decreased over time, but mortality remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need for early detection, access to specialized therapies, and reduction of regional inequalities to improve clinical outcomes and equity in pediatric oncology care. Level of Evidence IV; Retrospective cohort study.