Epidemiological Shifts in Children Respiratory Pathogens in Shenzhen, China: A Comparative Analysis Before and After the Relaxation of COVID‐19 Non‐Pharmaceutical Interventions

• DOI: 10.1111/irv.70114
• Publication Date: 2025-04-25T05:19:19Z
• Authors: Heping Wang; Yuping Guo; Rongjun Wang; Zihao Liu; Li Li; Yuzheng Li; Yanmin Bao; Wenjian Wang
• Keywords: Pandemic

ABSTRACT Background The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated non‐pharmaceutical interventions significantly altered the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate changes in prevalence distribution pathogens among children with acute infections (ARIs) before after relaxation restrictions Shenzhen, China. Methods enrolled hospitalized ARIs Shenzhen Children's Hospital during epidemic those post‐epidemic period. Demographic data patients were retrieved from electronic patient dossiers. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected detected for 11 pathogens, epidemiological trends analyzed by age, season, pathogen distribution. Results A total 40,174 enrolled, including 14,816 25,358 admissions increased 71.2% median age rose 27 47 months. Pathogen detection rates 59.3% period 73.0% ( p < 0.001), co‐detection (≥ 2 pathogens) rising 10.5% 21.2%. dominant shifted HRV, RSV, HPIV MP, RSV post‐epidemic. Notably, MP surged 1.69% 20.87%, while peaks replaced HMPV winter. Conclusion led a significant rebound children, dominance co‐detection.