Lower respiratory tract infection hospitalisations in 0–4 year olds returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021

Posted 24 months ago by Kirsty Craig Less than a minute to read

We have published the latest results from our Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI) factsheet.

Here are the main findings:

The number of LRTI hospitalisations in 0–4 year olds returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021.
The winter LRTI hospitalisation peak was higher than usual in 2021.
Pacific children had nearly twice the rate of LRTI hospitalisation as European/Other children in 2021.
Children living in the most deprived areas (NZDep2018 quintile 5) had twice the rate of LRTI hospitalisation as children living in the least deprived areas (quintile 1).
Children living in urban areas had higher rates of LRTI hospitalisation than children in rural areas.