Scientific Sessions

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Management involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in infants, children, and adolescents. Children are particularly vulnerable to infections due to their developing immune systems, exposure in group settings like schools or daycare, and limited prior immunity to common pathogens. Managing infectious diseases in this population requires a thorough understanding of age-specific physiology, immune responses, and the unique presentation of infections in children. Common infections include respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and vaccine-preventable diseases. Clinicians must use a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory diagnostics, and imaging tools to accurately diagnose infections and implement appropriate treatment strategies. Antibiotic stewardship is crucial to avoid overuse and resistance, which is a growing global health concern.

Preventive strategies, such as timely vaccination, good hygiene practices, and public health education, play a central role in pediatric infectious disease management. Vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of deadly childhood infections like measles, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. However, emerging infections, antibiotic-resistant organisms, and global travel continue to pose challenges. In hospital settings, infection control protocols help minimize nosocomial infections. Moreover, multidisciplinary collaboration among pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, and public health officials is essential for effective disease surveillance and outbreak response. With advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, the goal of pediatric infectious disease management is not only to treat infections but also to improve long-term health outcomes and reduce disease burden in children.