Meta-analysis shows Mycoplasma pneumoniae prevalence in children varied before, during, and after COVID-19
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 70 studies assessed the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children and adolescents across three periods: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pooled prevalence was 21.72% (95% CI: 17.09, 26.73) before the pandemic, 10.73% (95% CI: 7.57, 14.35) during the pandemic, and 28.64% (95% CI: 22.74, 34.93) after the pandemic. Among children older than 6 years, prevalence was 46.35% before, 27.32% during, and 41.36% after the pandemic. In infants under 1 year, prevalence was 8.21% before, 4.87% during, and 7.81% after the pandemic. Seasonal data showed pre-pandemic summer prevalence of 33.34% and autumn prevalence of 31.00%, while pandemic autumn prevalence dropped to 15.51% and post-pandemic autumn rose to 37.97%.
The authors note that the observed decline during the pandemic may reflect the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions, but caution that further research is needed to explain these patterns and improve future pandemic preparedness. The analysis did not report on specific interventions, comparators, or adverse events, and the included studies were observational, so causal conclusions cannot be drawn.
Clinically, these findings highlight the dynamic epidemiology of M. pneumoniae in children, with a rebound after pandemic restrictions. The results can guide clinical practice and public health responses, particularly in anticipating seasonal and age-related variations in infection prevalence.
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