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LRTI hospitalisations rise for children under five in 2024

Posted 14 days ago by Helene Marsters Less than a minute to read

We have published an updated surveillance report on lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) hospitalisations among children aged 0–4 years. The report provides an overview of trends in LRTI hospitalisations among the youngest children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key findings include:

  • The number of LRTI hospitalisations among 0–4 year olds increased from 10159 in 2023 to 10825 in 2024.
  • The pattern of LRTI hospitalisations being highest during winter persisted, but some summer months remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.
  • Infants (under one year old) continue to have the highest LRTI hospitalisation rates.
  • Pacific children had more than three times the rate of LRTI hospitalisations as European/Other children in 2024.

You can access the report here:
Lower respiratory tract infection hospitalisations (0–4 years)