Epidemiology and co-infection patterns of community-acquired pneumonia among children from 2015 to 2023 in Henan Province, China: longitudinal surveillance study

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases affecting children worldwide. Despite its global significance, we still lack comprehensive epidemiological data and pathogen profiles specifically for Pediatric CAP cases in Henan Province, China. We analyzed clinical data from children with CAP admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University and Zhengzhou University's Third Affiliated Hospital between 2015 and 2023. Using time-series analysis, we projected CAP prevalence trends for 2024. There existed notable seasonal and regional disparities in the incidence of pediatric CAP cases in Henan Province. The incidence peak of pediatric CAP cases occurred from May to August. Moreover, school-aged and preschool children were at a higher risk of contracting CAP. Among pediatric CAP cases, the disease spectrum varied according to age. Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) was the main pathogen, presenting in diverse infection patterns and multiple mixed infection combinations. The time series prediction model based on ARIMA suggested that the incidence of pediatric CAP would decrease in 2024. Collectively, the incidence of CAP in children in Henan Province shows a seasonal upward trend. The primary cause of infection is identified as MP, and it is often combined with various bacteria and viruses in different age groups.