Viral Infections in Children: Challenges and Advances

Viral infections continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. With emerging viruses, evolving resistance patterns, and unique immune responses in children, the need for focused research in virology is more pressing than ever. Studies have repeatedly highlighted the significant impact of viral pathogens, including viruses like RSV, SARS-CoV2, and enteroviruses, on child health. The burden of viral diseases in children, coupled with challenges such as diagnostic innovations and vaccine-preventable diseases, underscores the need for comprehensive investigation in this specialized field. While significant strides have been made in understanding the host immune response and viral pathogenesis in children, there remains a critical requirement for more robust studies that address diagnostic challenges, co-infections, and the overall impact of viral infections on child development. The latest research has opened new avenues in immunization strategies and public health policymaking, but gaps still exist, particularly in evaluating HIV infections within children and adolescents.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate existing knowledge and address inquiries within virology in children. Central objectives include the examination of emerging and re-emerging viruses, assessment of epidemiological trends, uncovering host-pathogen interactions, and evaluating current public health implications. Researchers are encouraged to explore questions surrounding the efficacy and impact of current diagnostic and immunological strategies. There is also interest in testing hypotheses related to virus-host dynamics and the consequences of viral infections on development in children.

To gather further insights in the complex landscape of pediatric viral infections, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Epidemiology and burden of viral infections in children
• Emerging and re-emerging viruses (e.g., RSV, SARS-CoV-2, enteroviruses)
• Neonatal and congenital viral infections
• Vaccine-preventable viral diseases and immunization strategies
• Host immune response and viral pathogenesis in children
• Diagnostic challenges and innovations
• Impact of viral infections on child development
• Co-infections and secondary complications
• Public health and policy implications in viral disease management in children
• HIV infection in children and adolescents

We encourage submissions in formats such as Original Research, Reviews, Case Reports, Clinical Studies and Commentaries or Opinion Pieces that contribute to a comprehensive understanding and management of viral infections in childhood.

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
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... 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
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Specialty Grand Challenge
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Pediatric viral infections, emerging viruses, vaccine-preventable diseases, host immune response, viral pathogenesis, diagnostic innovations, co-infections, child development, public health policy, HIV in children, viral infections in Immunocompromised children

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.