Brazil Investigates 8 Child Deaths at Private Hospital Amid Infection Allegations

Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation into the deaths of eight children at Salvalus Hospital in São Paulo, following allegations from parents that their children contracted infections and died from sepsis. The São Paulo Civil Police received complaints concerning the fatalities, which involved children ranging from newborns to 12 years old.

The deaths reportedly began in January, with the cases formally reported to authorities this week. The police are conducting interviews with healthcare professionals and witnesses and reviewing medical records to determine the causes of death, according to the state’s Public Security Secretariat.

Brazilian newspaper Metropoles reported reviewing death certificates for 16 children who died at the hospital this year. One of the deceased was Alice de Andrades, who died on April 3, three days after her first birthday. Her mother, Leticia Ferreira, stated that Alice, diagnosed with Dandy-Walker syndrome, was admitted to Salvalus in November 2025 for a feeding tube procedure. Ferreira reported that Alice developed breathing difficulties post-procedure, experienced complications during surgery, and later suffered cardiac arrest and a head injury requiring surgery.

In February, doctors detected KPC bacteria in Alice's brain, a bacterium known for producing enzymes that confer high resistance to antibiotics. Her death certificate listed Dandy-Walker syndrome, hydrocephalus, acute respiratory failure, infectious ventriculitis, and sepsis of pulmonary origin as contributing factors.

Ferreira expressed her hope for justice, stating, "We are now left with this expectation of wanting justice for our children, of investigating the cases, of understanding what really happened. I can only wait and hope that justice will be done."

Hapvida, part of the Notre Dame Intermedic group, commented that Salvalus Hospital has treated over 1,000 children in 2026. The group stated that initial assessments indicate distinct clinical histories among the cases, with no common infectious origin identified.

Eduarda Gomes, an attorney representing mothers of children who died at the hospital, voiced concerns that the hospital might be attributing the deaths solely to the victims' pre-existing conditions. "We hope that all of this will be investigated, that the authorities will truly seek out those responsible, and hold the doctors and the hospital accountable," Gomes said.