Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of communicable diseases among children and adolescents in China from 1990 to 2021.
Methods: Based on the Global Burden of Disease Database, epidemiological indicators for communicable diseases among the population aged under 20 years in China from 1990 to 2021 were selected to analyze the burden of communicable diseases in this population, and a comparative analysis was performed with global data as well as data from Western Europe and North America.
Results: In 1990-2021, the overall burden of communicable diseases tended to decrease among children and adolescents in China. In 2021, the prevalence rate of communicable diseases in China was lower than the global prevalence rate and was higher than that in Western Europe and North America. There was a significant reduction in the mortality rate of communicable diseases, and the gap with Western Europe and North America gradually narrowed year by year. The overall incidence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life year rate of communicable diseases in males were higher than those in females, and respiratory infections and intestinal infections were more common in children aged <5 years, while the incidence rate of sexually transmitted diseases was higher in adolescents.
Conclusions: From 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of communicable diseases among the population under 20 years old in China has significantly decreased. However, there is still a certain gap compared to developed regions. Strengthening the prevention and control of diseases such as respiratory infections and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as enhancing health interventions for children under 5 years old, will help improve the overall health level of children and adolescents in China.
目的: 分析1990—2021年我国儿童和青少年传染病的流行病学特点和变化趋势。方法: 基于全球疾病负担数据库，选取1990—2021年我国20岁以下人群传染病的流行病学指标，对该人群传染病疾病负担进行分析，并与全球、西欧、北美等地区进行比较。结果: 1990年—2021年，我国儿童和青少年整体传染病疾病负担呈下降趋势。2021年我国传染病患病率低于全球患病率，但高于西欧、北美同期水平。传染病死亡率明显下降，与西欧、北美的差距逐年缩小。男性整体传染病发病率、死亡率和伤残调整寿命年率均高于女性，呼吸道感染、肠道感染在5岁以下儿童中更常见，而青少年性传播疾病发病率更高。结论: 1990—2021年，我国20岁以下人群传染病疾病负担明显下降，但较于发达地区仍有一定差距，加强对呼吸道感染和艾滋病等疾病的防控，加强5岁以下儿童的健康干预，有助于提高我国儿童和青少年整体健康水平。中国当代儿科杂志，2025，27（1）：39-46］.
Keywords: Adolescent; Child; China; Communicable disease; Global Burden of Disease Database.