OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of hospital infection in the pediatric department and neonatal unit in order to provide reference data for hospital infection control. METHODS: Data on nosocomial infections of the patients hospitalized in pediatric wards and neonatal units of the .obstetrical departments in 135 general hospitals participating in the National Monitoring Network of Hospital Infection were collected. Monitoring results were reported monthly according to uniform requirements. RESULTS: Of the 155 975 person- times monitored from January to December in 2000, 4 310 (2.8%) and 4 699 person - times (2.5% ) respectively had hospital - acquired infections in the pediatric wards and neonatal units of the obstetrical wards. The incidence of nosocomial infections in neonates hospitalized in the pediatric wards (4.1%) was significantly higher compared with non - neonates hospitalized in the pediatric wards (2.5%) and with neonates hospitalized in the neonatal units of the obstetrical wards (3.2%) (P<0.01). Hospital infections occurred mainly in the respiratory tract and skin soft - tissues. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of hospital infections in sick neonates. To reduce the incidence of hospital infections, it is important to emphasize monitoring and take effective measures, including prevention of respiratory infection and skin infection by strict isolation and aseptic manipulation.