Burden of bacterial lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children and epidemiological characteristics of pathogens in Hanzhong, China (2023-2024).

AIM

To analyse the epidemiological characteristics of bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in hospitalized children aged 0-14 years in Hanzhong Central Hospital, China, and to provide evidence for empirical treatment and infection control.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on bacterial detection (excluding Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae), seasonal variation, gender distribution, and age distribution among RTI paediatric patients admitted to Hanzhong Central Hospital from January 2023 to July 2024.

RESULTS

Among 5,463 respiratory specimens from children clinically diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections, 2093 bacterial strains were isolated, yielding a culture positivity rate of 38.30%. A total of 3413 specimens (62.88%) exhibited mixed growth of normal respiratory flora and were classified as culture-negative for pathogenic bacteria, based on standard microbiological criteria. The identified bacterial pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae (a recognized common cause of respiratory tract infections), as well as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, which are typically associated with more severe or hospital-acquired lower respiratory tract infections rather than community-acquired cases. Bacterial infections showed seasonal variation, being more prevalent in spring (first quarter) and summer (second quarter), with variations in dominant bacterial strains across different quarters. The infection rate in male children was higher than in females in all quarters, with statistically significant differences observed particularly in the infection rates of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Children aged 0-3 years were the highest risk group for Staphylococcus aureus infection (11.61%), while the detection rates of various pathogens declined with increasing age.

CONCLUSION

Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae were identified as the predominant pathogens responsible for paediatric respiratory infections in Hanzhong, exhibiting peak prevalence during spring and summer and the greatest burden among children under 3 years of age. The marked male predominance and age-specific pathogen distribution patterns highlight the necessity for seasonal surveillance, age-tailored empiric treatment strategies, and strengthened infection control measures in childcare environments. These findings offer evidence-based insights to inform clinical management and public health interventions in northwest China. Both family caregivers and healthcare providers should remain vigilant to these epidemiological characteristics in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.