Abstract: Objective To analyze the registration status of asymptomatic tuberculosis among children aged 0-14 years in China from 2021 to 2024 for evidence to optimize tuberculosis prevention and control strategies for children. Methods The data on tuberculosis cases with documented information in the symptom field across the country from 2021 to 2024 were retrieved from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the distribution characteristics of asymptomatic tuberculosis cases among children aged 0-14 years across time, region, and population. Results From 2021 to 2024, a total of 3 344 asymptomatic tuberculosis cases in children aged 0-14  were enrolled in this study. The month with the highest cumulative number of reported asymptomatic tuberculosis cases among children was September (498 cases, 14.89%), while February had the lowest number (137 cases, 4.10%). By age distribution, asymptomatic tuberculosis in children was dominated by those aged 10-14 years (2 772 cases, 82.89%). The number of reported cases in males and females was 1 558 and 1 786, respectively, with a sex ratio of 0.87∶1. A total of 2 095 cases reported were from the Han ethnic group (62.65%), while ethnic minorities accounted for 1 249 cases (37.35%). The top three ethnic minorities with the highest cumulative reported cases were the Yi ethnic group (429 cases), Tibetan ethnic group (330 cases), and Miao ethnic group (123 cases). The cumulative reported cases in the eastern, central, and western regions were 531 (15.88%), 619 (18.51%), and 2 194 (65.61%), respectively. The top three provinces with the highest cumulative reported cases were Sichuan (748 cases), Guizhou (508 cases), and Yunnan (365 cases). The primary sources of case reporting were contact tracing (1 183 cases, 35.38%) and referrals (1 086 cases, 32.48%). Conclusion Currently, asymptomatic tuberculosis among children in China predominantly occurred in the those aged 10-14 years, with majority of the cases observed in the western regions. In the future, it is essential to further strengthen prevention and control efforts in the western region, enhance the intensity of active screening, and improve standardized medication and management of children with asymptomatic tuberculosis. 

Key words: Asymptomatic tuberculosis, Children, Epidemiological characteristics