Retrospective analysis shows changes in pathogen profiles of children with pneumonia, indicating shifts in respiratory infections post-COVID-19.
Key Points
To analyze changes in the pathogenic characteristics of hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia in Changzhou, China, before and after COVID-19.
Retrospective review of demographic data and hospitalization records from 2018 to 2023.
Analysis of pathogen detection among hospitalized children for community-acquired pneumonia.
Included 29,552 children with data segmented by pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.
Bacterial positivity increased from 9.94% pre-pandemic to 13.96% during the pandemic; slightly decreased to 13.68% post-pandemic.
Viral positivity increased from 16.52% to 21.43% during the pandemic and remained high at 21.06% post-pandemic.
Coinfection positivity decreased from 6.89% pre-pandemic to 5.13% during the pandemic and 3.02% post-pandemic.