Abstract: Objective To analyze the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children and investigate the risk factors of infection, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and control of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. Methods Children diagnosed with pneumonia and treated at Changzhi Lucheng District People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were included in the study. Data on gender, age, onset season, clinical symptoms, chest auscultation, pulmonary imaging manifestations （such as patchy or large flake dense shadow）, white blood cell count, history of mycoplasma infection, and other relevant factors were collected. The rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children was calculated based on the results of mycoplasma antibody detection in venous blood, and the distribution characteristics of infected cases were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. Results A total of 3 891 valid cases were collected, with a validity rate of 95.23%. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections were detected in 718 cases, with an infection rate of 18.45% （718/3 891）. There were more boys （56.27%） than girls （43.73%） infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the highest proportion （41.50%） of infections occurred amongst children aged 4-6 years, followed by children aged 1-3 years, 7-12 years, and 3 months to 1 year old. Furthermore, infections were most common during winter （39.83%）, followed by autumn, spring, and summer. The most prevalent clinical symptom was cough （89.00%）, followed by fever, and shortness of breath. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that older age （OR=1.963）, cough （OR=2.768）, patchy or large flake dense shadows on pulmonary imaging （OR=2.983）, elevated white blood cell count （OR=2.161）, and history of mycoplasma infection （OR=1.436） were risk factors for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. Conclusions The rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children needs to be further reduced. Knowing the characteristics and risk factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children, effective prevention and control measures can be adopted based on the specific circumstances of the infection and risk factors to minimize its impact on the health of children with pneumonia.

Key words: Pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Infection, Children, Risk factor