Epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in children in Pudong, Shanghai: analysis of seven respiratory test results from 2018 to 2023

The overall positive detection rate for the seven respiratory pathogens decreased significantly during the pandemic (2020-2022), with several pathogens showing notable shifts in their pre- and post-pandemic epidemic periods. MP, RSV and PIV were identified as the primary ARI-causing pathogens in children, and age- or sex-related differences also observed. This study enhances current understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogen infections among children spanning the pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 periods, and provides critical insights for developing more effective prevention and control strategies in Pudong, Shanghai.