Incidence Rates, Infection Sites, and Pathogen Distribution of Nosocomial infections Among Hospitalised Patients of Different Age Groups

Background Comparative studies on nosocomial infections across hospital units and age groups is limited, hindering precise prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to investigate differences in the incidence rates, infection sites, and pathogen distribution of nosocomial infections among hospitalised patients of different age groups, providing a scientific basis for precise prevention and control. Methods Hospitalised patients diagnosed with nosocomial infections at two tertiary hospitals between 2017 and 2023 were included and categorized into four age groups: neonatal (≤ 28 days), paediatric (29 days–14 years), adult (15–60 years), and older adult (> 60 years). A retrospective study was conducted to examine differences among the four groups in terms of incidence rates, infection sites, and pathogen detection of nosocomial infections. Findings: A total of 3,354 nosocomial infections cases were confirmed, with an incidence rate highest in neonates (1.1%) and lowest in adults (0.3%). The main infection sites involved lower respiratory tract infections, bloodstream infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) for the neonatal, adult, and older adults groups, and lower respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, and upper respiratory tract infections for the paediatric group. Catheter-related bloodstream infections(CRBSI) were most prevalent in the neonatal group, whereas VAP and catheter-associated urinary tract infections(CAUTI) were most common in the adult group. The predominant pathogens by group were as follows: neonatal, Klebsiella pneumoniae (32.7%), Enterobacter cloacae (11.9%), Escherichia coli (11.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.5%); paediatric, rotavirus (53.3%); adult, Escherichia coli (16.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.4%), coagulase negative staphylococcus (14.0%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (10.6%); and older adult, Escherichia coli (17.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%), Acinetobacter baumannii (11.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.4%). Conclusion Significant differences in nosocomial infections characteristics exist across age groups. Healthcare institutions should implement stratified and precise prevention and control strategies based on specific population needs.