Objective To study direct economic loss of healthcare-associated infection (HAI)in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection (ARI),and the influence in satisfaction degree of children’relatives.Methods Clinical data of 1 039 children with ARI in a pediatrics ward between April 1,2012 to March 31,2013 were analyzed retrospective-ly.50 patients with HAI were in case group and 50 patients without HAI were in control group.The difference in medical cost and the degree of satisfaction of children’s relatives were compared between two groups.Results Medical cost of pa-tients in case group was significantly higher than control group([P 25 - P 75 :￥3 095.54 - ￥4 779.48]vs [P 25 -P 75 :￥1 744.14-￥2 382.07],Z =5.89,P <0.01).The expenses in medicine,laboratory examination,diagnosis and treatment,and nursing in case group were all higher than control group,there were significant differences between two groups(all P <0.01 );Hospitalization day of case group was significantly longer than control group ([P 25 -P 75 :9 d-15 d]vs[P 25 -P 75 :6 d-8 d],Z =5.79,P <0.01 ).Satisfaction degree of patients’relatives in case group was significantly lower than control group (Z =8.22,P <0.01).Conclusion HAI occurred in ARI children can increase medical cost,prolong length of hospital stay and decrease satisfaction degree of patients’relatives.