Revolutionizing Pediatric Intensive Care: Advancements in Detection and Management of Intra-Abdominal Hypertension

Pediatric intensive care medicine is faced with unique challenges in the detection and management of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), conditions that significantly affect outcomes in critically ill children. IAH and ACS can cause or exacerbate systemic complications such as organ dysfunction, sepsis, and multi-organ failure, presenting interlinked and complex clinical scenarios. While significant advancements have been made in intensive care, traditional diagnostic and management strategies have often lacked precision and early sensitivity for these abdominal pathologies, particularly in pediatrics where physiological diversity adds further complexity. There is a growing recognition of the need for methods that enable rapid identification and targeted intervention in IAH and ACS to reduce morbidity and mortality rates in this vulnerable population.

Recent investigations have explored a range of innovative tools including non-invasive monitoring techniques, the search for reliable serum and cellular biomarkers, and the formulation of timely clinical intervention protocols for IAH and ACS. Progress in real-time abdominal pressure assessment, imaging, and laboratory markers is gradually transforming care paradigms, though challenges remain in establishing universally accepted standards for diagnosis and management—especially for the pediatric demographic. Current gaps include variability in IAP thresholds for what constitutes abdominal compartment syndrome as values in adults are not directly applicable to pediatric patients; measurement techniques, limited validation of pediatric-specific biomarkers, and uncertainty regarding optimal intervention thresholds and timing. Addressing these limitations is essential to equipping clinicians with actionable, evidence-based tools for comprehensive care.

This Research Topic aims to bring together multidisciplinary efforts that drive forward novel approaches for early detection, risk assessment, and effective management of IAH and ACS in pediatric intensive care settings. The objective is to foster research and knowledge exchange on the development of non-invasive measurement techniques, identification and validation of clinical biomarkers, optimization of intervention strategies, and the creation of best-practice guidelines tailored to children. By broadening the discussion to include all innovative possibilities, this topic seeks to strengthen the clinical framework for improving patient outcomes in pediatric abdominal emergencies.

To gather further insights in the field of pediatric IAH and ACS, we welcome articles that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:
• Development and validation of non-invasive intra-abdominal pressure monitoring tools
• Identification and clinical utility of biomarkers for pediatric IAH and ACS
• Early diagnostic and risk stratification methodologies
• Outcome optimization strategies in pediatric and neonatal patients with abdominal hypertension
• Pediatric-specific evidence-based management protocols and guidelines

We invite a wide range of article types including original research, reviews, and clinical studies, with the aim of shaping the next generation of pediatric intensive care for abdominal pressure-related conditions.

Dr. Malbrain is the co-founder and President of the International Fluid Academy (IFA).

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: intra-abdominal hypertension, abdominal compartment syndrome, guidelines, intensive care risk score

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.