Pediatric infectious diseases not only harm children's physical health but also severely disrupt their education and family life, while imposing a substantial economic burden on society as a whole. Research on pediatric infectious diseases has long been a global priority.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging and re-emerging infections in children—such as scarlet fever caused by Group A Streptococcus and the resurgence of measles in Europe and the U.S. due to declining vaccination rates—had already drawn worldwide concern. After the pandemic, the spectrum of pediatric infectious diseases and their pathogens appears to have shifted, with unusual seasonal rebounds of influenza and RSV, as well as outbreaks of unexplained pediatric hepatitis.

All of this underscores the urgent need to strengthen research in epidemiology, clinical medicine, and pathogenetics related to pediatric infectious diseases—to better safeguard children's health and, ultimately, the future of our world.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of new discoveries and challenges in infectious diseases among children and adolescents, with a particular focus on emerging trends in epidemiological characteristics, innovative clinical diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and novel pathogen discoveries. By integrating multidisciplinary research findings, we seek to elucidate cutting-edge advancements in pediatric infectious diseases worldwide, thereby contributing to breakthroughs in:
1. Emerging and re-emerging infections
2. Optimization of clinical treatment strategies
3. Application of novel diagnostic technologies
4. Vaccine accessibility and immunization barriers
5. Pathogen variation and pathogenic mechanisms

The ultimate objective is to establish an early warning system for infectious diseases, promote evidence-based prevention policy formulation, and provide scientific foundations for global pediatric health protection.

This collection focuses on new discoveries and challenges in pediatric infectious diseases, spanning preventive, clinical, and basic medical research. We welcome submissions across all related fields and methodologies, including but not limited to:
Epidemiology (e.g., emerging disease patterns), Pathogenetics (e.g., microbial evolution/virulence), Immunology (e.g., host-pathogen interactions), Clinical management (diagnosis/therapy innovations). All article types are encouraged: Original Research, Case Reports, Reviews, and more. We particularly welcome submissions focusing on (but not limited to) the following key areas:

1. Resurgent scarlet fever epidemics
2. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections and vaccine development
3. Resurgence of measles infections
4. Monkeypox virus infections
5. Antimicrobial resistance in Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)
6. COVID-19 and Household Hygiene
7. Novel discoveries and challenges in clinical diagnosis & treatment
8. Epidemiological investigations
9. Immunological mechanisms
10. Pathogenic characteristics and microbial evolution

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

New Discoveries and Challenges in Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Pathogenic Advances