Epidemiology of Primary and Recurrent Healthcare-Associated and Community-Associated Pediatric Clostridioides difficile Infection in Canada, 2015-2020

Pediatric healthcare-associated and community-associated Clostridioides difficileinfection rates have decreased or stabilized in Canadian acute care hospitals from 2015 to 2020. Ribotype 106 remains predominant while recurrence remains low. Continued surveillance is vital to assess the changing epidemiological trends of pediatric CDI in Canada. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among children remains a concerning cause of morbidity in hospital settings. We present epidemiological and molecular trends in healthcare- and community-associated CDI among children in Canadian inpatient and outpatient settings, including those who experienced recurrent infections.

Automated summary

Pediatric healthcare-associated and community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection rates have decreased or stabilized in Canadian acute care hospitals from 2015 to 2020. Ribotype 106 remains predominant while recurrence remains low. Continued surveillance is vital to assess the changing epidemiological trends of pediatric CDI in Canada.