Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to analyze data from qualitative studies related to the phenomenon of health follow-up dropout of newborns, infants and preschoolers in child health services. METHODS: systematic review, carried out in 19 information bases. Studies were included that portray the reasons for dropping out health follow-up of children up to five years old. The JBI methodology was used for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. RESULTS: we identified 20,199 studies. After applying the eligibility criteria, 81 were selected. Seven were excluded due to duplicity, resulting in 74 articles that were read in full. After this phase, three articles were selected for the final sample and later after reading their references, one more was included, totaling four articles for critical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: the synthesized findings highlight that health follow-up dropout is based on personal knowledge and beliefs, the family routine dynamics and access to services.