Abstract: Clostridium difficile (CD) is the most important cause of hospitalacquired and antibioticassociated diarrhea. Due to the extensive use of broadspectrum antibiotics, the incidence of  Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is on the rise worldwide, and has become a serious public health problem. Although epidemiological data of CDI concerning Chinese children is unavaliable, the abusive use of antibiotics in their diagnosis and treatment is undeniable; and concerned clinical knowledge awaits improvement.  These factors added together may contribute to domestic incidence of CDI higher than that of foreign countries. This article introduces the pathogenic mechanism, epidemiology, risk factors and preventive measures of CD to  provide basis for prevention and control of CDI.

Key words: Clostridium infections, epidemiology, universal precautions, child