Objective Children aged <6 years are highly susceptible to intestinal infectious disease. Understanding its epidemiological characteristics and trend is critical for the development of targeted prevention and control strategies in China.

Methods The incidence data of intestinal infectious diseases in China from 2013 to 2024 were collected from National Disease Prevention and Control Information System for a descriptive epidemiological analysis on the temporal trend, seasonality, and spatial distribution of the disease. Joinpoint regression model was used to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC). Global and local spatial autocorrelation and spatiotemporal scanning in 31 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions) were conducted.

Results From 2013 to 2024, the mean annual reported incidence of intestinal infectious disease in children aged <6 years was 2436.13/100 000 in China, showing a downward trend (AAPC=−4.70%, P=0.017). The incidence was significantly higher in boys (2696.86/100 000) than in girls (2134.10/100 000) (χ²=362 572.900, P<0.001). The cases were reported in all age groups, with the highest incidence being reported in age goup 1 year. The reported incidences of hepatitis A, hepatitis E, dysentery, and hand, foot and mouth disease exhibited significant declining trends, whereas no significant temporal trends were observed for typhoid/paratyphoid fever, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, or other infectious diarrheal diseases (all P>0.05). The disease mainly occurred from May to July, with the peak in June. Global Moran’s I values ranged from 0.17 to 0.41 (P<0.05), indicating significant spatial clustering. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis identified eight significant clustering areas in China from 2013 to 2024 (all P<0.001), mainly distributed in eastern China.

Conclusions From 2013 to 2024, the overall incidence of intestinal infectious disease declined in children aged <6 years in China. The diseases exhibited obvious seasonality and regional heterogeneity. Continuous surveillance and region-specific interventions are essential to further reduce the burden level of intestinal infectious disease in young children aged <6 years.