Pediatric skeletal muscle growth is a continuous developmental process spanning three distinct phases: neonatal infancy, childhood, and puberty. Each stage exhibits specific physiological characteristics, yet research often conflates their unique features, especially during the neonatal period which serves as a crucial continuation of prenatal development. During this brief yet vital window, rapid and significant muscle growth occurs. Any anomalies in muscle development at this stage can severely impact long-term muscle health and function, potentially resulting in pediatric muscle disorders and secondary muscle pathologies.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of neonatal skeletal muscle growth by unraveling the biological and physiological processes driving muscle development during this essential early stage. The goal is to identify critical growth factors, cellular behaviors, and molecular pathways that govern muscle development in neonates, thereby providing a foundation for addressing muscle disorders that originate during this period.

To thoroughly examine the complexities of neonatal muscle development, this Research Topic will focus on the neonatal stage exclusively. We encourage contributions that shed light on:

o The epigenetic regulation of muscle cell differentiation and growth during the neonatal period;
o Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neonatal muscle development and their implications for neonatal health;
o Metabolic influences on neonatal muscle growth;
o Pathophysiology of muscle disorders originating in the neonatal phase;
o Innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating neonatal muscle disorders.

Collectively, these themes will establish comprehensive insights into the factors influencing skeletal muscle health during the critical neonatal stage. Original research articles employing both in vivo and in vitro models, along with review articles, are welcome to contribute to this in-depth exploration.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Advances in Understanding Neonatal Skeletal Muscle Growth and Disorders