Transforming Pediatric Pulmonology to honour World Mental Health Day: Integrating Mental Well-Being into the Care of Children with Respiratory Diseases​​​​​​​

The field of pediatric pulmonology is witnessing a growing understanding of the profound interplay between respiratory health and mental well-being in children and adolescents. Chronic and acute respiratory illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and other pulmonary conditions are not only challenging due to their physical symptoms, but also because of the psychological burden they may impose on young people and their families. There is increasing evidence that mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, are prevalent among children living with chronic respiratory diseases. These mental health concerns often go underrecognized in pediatric pulmonology, despite their clear impact on disease management, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. Existing research underscores the urgent need for a more holistic, multidisciplinary approach that integrates psychological care into routine respiratory treatment.

This Research Topic aims to establish mental well-being as a central pillar in pediatric pulmonology. The primary objective is to foster a deeper understanding of the relationship between mental health and respiratory outcomes in children, highlight innovative psychosocial interventions, and stimulate the development of early screening practices for psychological comorbidities in respiratory conditions. This initiative encourages the exploration of actionable strategies for early identification, targeted intervention, and improved long-term outcomes for children with pulmonary diseases.

To gather further insights within the context of pediatric pulmonology and mental health, we welcome articles that are focused exclusively on respiratory diseases in children and adolescents. We are particularly interested in contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
• The prevalence and impact of co-present mental health in children with chronic and acute respiratory illnesses
• Development and evaluation of interventions tailored for pediatric respiratory patients
• Screening and early identification of psychological distress in children with cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other chronic lung disorders
• Strategies to improve mental wellness in children and their families
• Training, support, and education for pediatric pulmonologists to address mental health in clinical practice

We encourage submissions in formats such as research articles, reviews, perspectives, and case reports articles that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of mental health and respiratory outcomes in children.

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

Keywords: Mental Health, Respiratory Illnesses, Children, Anxiety, Depression, Psychosocial Interventions, Early Screening, Holistic Care, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Bidirectional Relationship

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.