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Mycoplasma pneumoniae frequently causes community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in school-aged children, andCDC surveillance identified the uptick in emergency department diagnoses of M. pneumoniae-related respiratory disease. Annual prevalence rose from 2.5% to 3.5% from 2018 through 2024. Now, researchers have analyzed records from several U.S. children's hospitals.
Key findings:
Incidence of M. pneumoniae–associated CAP hospitalizations rose sixfold in 2024 compared to 2018–2023.
pneumoniae accounted for 33% of all hospitalized CAP cases in 2024.
A disproportionately high number of cases were diagnosed in children younger than 5 years (including those younger than 2 years).
Disease severity did not increase significantly in 2024.