Pediatric Pneumonia Surge: Mycoplasma Cases Skyrocket in 2024
Following a period of low circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent analysis highlights a dramatic increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated hospitalizations among U.S. children. This concerning trend, particularly noticeable in 2024, warrants careful attention from healthcare providers and parents alike.
Significant Rise in Cases
A review of data from 42 children’s hospitals across the U.S. revealed a substantial surge in M. pneumoniae cases. From 2018 to 2024, 16,353 of 5,631,734 hospitalized children received an M. pneumoniae diagnosis. A marked increase occurred in 2024, when M. pneumoniae accounted for 33% of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) hospitalizations, peaking at 53.8% in July. This represents a rate of 12.49 cases per 1,000 hospitalizations in 2024, significantly higher than the 2.12 per 1,000 documented between 2018 and 2023.
Study: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections have increased substantially in hospitalized children in the US. The highest incidence in the last 6 years was seen in July-December 2024, accounting for half of all CAP hospitalizations in children’s hospitals. https://t.co/lC4y9rXW82
— World Today News (@WorldTodayNews) July 26, 2025
“During July–December 2024, M. pneumoniae ICD-10 codes were listed for approximately one half of CAP hospitalizations at US children’s hospitals, the highest level in 6 years.”
— Report Authors
According to recent reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that in 2024, there was a 20% rise in CAP cases, indicating a broader impact of respiratory illnesses in the population (CDC Report).
Affected Age Groups and Treatment
The most significant impact in 2024 was seen in children aged 6–12 years, with 42.6% of cases. The 2–5 year age group followed with 25.7%, and those aged 13–18 at 21.1%. Infants also saw a rise, with an 8.1-fold increase in the 0–11 months group and an 8.5-fold increase in the 12–23 months group compared to the 2018–2023 period.
Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, remain the primary treatment for M. pneumoniae CAP. Among hospitalized children with M. pneumoniae CAP, 96.2% in 2024 received a macrolide or another effective antimicrobial, slightly higher than the 95.4% rate during 2018–2023.
Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the clinical severity of M. pneumoniae infections seemed to lessen. The median hospital stay decreased from 3 days (IQR: 2–6) in 2018–2023 to 2 days (IQR: 1–4) in 2024. Similarly, intensive care unit admission rates declined from 26.0% to 19.5%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was lower in 2024 (0.1%) compared to prior years (0.5%).
Healthcare providers are urged to maintain vigilance during periods of high M. pneumoniae circulation. Because physical examinations alone are insufficient to diagnose this illness, testing should be considered for children of all ages presenting with respiratory illnesses.
