Editorial: New discoveries and challenges in pediatric infectious diseases: epidemiological, clinical, and pathogenic advances

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The case reports in this collection highlighted rare but severe pediatric infections that demand on the neonatal lung microbiome, which discusses how this dynamic determinant influences respiratory health, disease susceptibility, and potential novel therapeutics.Mechanistic insights were essential for developing vaccines and immunomodulatory therapies.argued in a mini-review that the era of "Infectious Diseases+" has arrived, advocating for multi-disciplinary integration (including immunology, genomics, and data science) in pediatric infectious disease prevention and control. This perspective aligned with the detailed case report by Qing et al., where a novel IL2RG mutation led to combined immunodeficiency and opportunistic infection -demonstrating the power of genetic diagnosis to explain host susceptibility.Despite the progress reflected in these 36 articles, major challenges remain. The practice variability in pertussis management identified by Alghounaim et al. called for international guidelines. The long-term epidemiological shifts documented by Tong et al. reminded us that post-pandemic disease patterns may take years to stabilize. The rare but devastating infections highlighted in case reports remind us that many pediatric infectious diseases lack rapid diagnostics and evidence-based treatments. Furthermore, as Kong et al. emphasize, breaking down disciplinary silos and integrating infectious diseases with public health, genomics, and data science will be crucial for future preparedness.We hope this Research Topic serves as a valuable resource for clinicians, epidemiologists, and basic scientists working to protect children from infectious diseases. By sharing the discoveries and openly discussing current challenges, we aimed to accelerate progress toward better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for children worldwide.