Scientific production on health inequalities using the Brazilian Information System on Live Births: a scoping review.

The Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) is widely used by health managers to plan and monitor maternal and child health programs. Scientific research using SINASC data is also essential to identify underexplored topics that warrant further investigation. This study aims to describe the profile of scientific output based on SINASC data and to determine gaps in the literature, with particular attention to studies addressing health inequalities. A scoping review was conducted, including original articles reporting primary outcomes derived from SINASC data. Five databases were searched up to August 2025: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. Brazilian official websites were also manually consulted. A total of 7,363 records were identified, and 85 studies were included in the final analysis. The most frequently analyzed variables were congenital anomalies, birth weight, pregnancy duration, type of delivery, and maternal age. The most commonly reported outcomes were cleft lip/palate, prematurity, low birth weight, Cesarean section, and maternal age distribution. Almost all studies (95.3%) addressed at least one inequality dimension, most frequently geographic and maternal sociodemographic factors. The Human Development Index was the main external socioeconomic indicator. This review underscores the relevance of SINASC for advancing research on health equity in Brazil. Nonetheless, gaps remain in analyses of antenatal care and race/skin color.