Arterial hypertension in children is a relevant medical and social problem, characterized by a growing prevalence and a high risk of developing cardiovascular complications in adulthood. The specific features of its clinical course in childhood, often asymptomatic presentation, as well as difficulties in interpreting blood pressure values, lead to delayed diagnosis of the disease. The correct choice of blood pressure measurement method and proper interpretation of the obtained results are key elements in disease diagnosis. Aim - to analyze and compare modern methods of blood pressure measurement in children, assess their advantages and limitations, and determine their significance in the clinical management of patients with arterial hypertension syndrome. A systematic analysis of scientific publications, clinical guidelines, and conference materials indexed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases over the past 10 years was conducted. The auscultatory method remains the “gold standard” for confirming elevated blood pressure in children, while oscillometric devices are convenient for screening and home monitoring. Office blood pressure measurement is the basic diagnostic tool; however, it has limitations due to the “white coat” effect and the risk of missing masked hypertension. Automated office blood pressure measurement shows promise in reducing psychological influence and achieving better agreement with ambulatory readings. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is identified as the most informative method for detecting hypertension phenotypes, assessing circadian rhythms, and identifying target organ damage. Home blood pressure monitoring complements office-based methods and contributes to improved disease control and treatment adherence. Conclusions. No single method of blood pressure measurement is universal. A rational combination of office and ambulatory methods increases the accuracy of diagnosing arterial hypertension in children, enables timely detection of hidden forms of the disease, optimizes treatment strategies, and reduces the risk of future cardiovascular complications. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acute encephalitis in children is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome with diverse infectious and immune-mediated causes. Despite the availability of diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Encephalitis Consortium, establishing the etiology remains challenging in many cases, as clinical manifestations often overlap across different etiological groups. Recent epidemiological changes, including the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the rise in recognized autoimmune encephalitides, have further expanded the spectrum of potential triggers in pediatric populations. Aim - to summarize current evidence on the etiological structure of acute encephalitis in children and analyze the contribution of infectious, autoimmune, and post-infectious mechanisms over the past decade. A structured literature review was conducted using publications from 2015-2025, focusing on epidemiology, pathogen distribution, diagnostic approaches, and the evolving role of advanced molecular technologies in etiology determination. Despite comprehensive diagnostic work-up, the etiological agent can be identified in only about half of pediatric encephalitis cases. Viral pathogens, particularly HSV-1, enteroviruses, HHV-6, influenza, and emerging infections such as SARS-CoV-2, remain the leading causes. However, autoimmune encephalitides, including anti-NMDAR, MOG-associated disease, and AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, are increasingly recognized, accounting for a substantial proportion of previously unexplained cases. Novel diagnostic tools such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing, phage immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP-Seq), and rapid multiplex PCR panels significantly improve detection rates. The growing number of reported co-infections and virus-triggered immune dysregulation highlights the importance of considering both infectious and immune-mediated etiologies in every child with acute encephalitis. Conclusions. The etiological landscape of pediatric acute encephalitis is dynamic and continues to evolve in response to emerging pathogens and expanding diagnostic capabilities. Integrating modern molecular methods with standardized clinical and immunologic assessment is essential to increase the proportion of etiologically confirmed cases. The development and implementation of a unified, stepwise diagnostic algorithm will facilitate the earlier identification of the underlying cause, the timely initiation of targeted therapy, and improved outcomes in affected children. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Aim - to conduct a systematic analysis of scientific sources on the formation of social health of Ukrainian adolescents in the process of patriotic education. In conditions of martial law, the formation of social health of Ukrainian adolescents in the process of patriotic education requires taking into account the components of social activity and important elements of the formation of civic maturity of adolescents, as well as physical development, motor activity, a healthy lifestyle and civic competence. This process requires the popularization and improvement of the qualifications of social sphere specialists, pediatricians, and specialists in the inclusive sector who provide support to children affected by military actions. In conditions of military actions, Ukrainian adolescents often experience social isolation, which leads to the loss of social contacts and social activity. The result of social isolation in adolescence is the emergence of deviant behavior, instability of the emotional state and deterioration of social health in the process of patriotic education. To create effective conditions for the formation of social health of Ukrainian adolescents in the process of patriotic education, it is necessary to ensure a dialogue between specialists participating in this process. The social health of adolescents is associated with social activity. In the process of forming the social health of Ukrainian adolescents, it is necessary to use methods of active forms of educational work. These are interactive methods that form positive motivation of adolescents, as well as form models of correct behavior and forms of organizing preventive education. Taking into account civic competence as the ability of Ukrainian adolescents to responsibly treat their civic duties forms the social health of this age category more effectively. There is an urgent need to increase the quantity and quality of popularization of patriotic education as one's own responsibility for the development of the future of Ukraine. Adolescent children develop according to current biosocial conditions, where social conditions for the formation of social health are much more effective. The authors declare the absence of a conflict of interest.

Aim - to conduct a retrospective analysis of the condition of newborns in women of different age groups who are giving birth for the first time in order to determine the dependence of the frequency of perinatal complications on the age of the pregnant woman. Materials and methods. The perinatal consequences of childbirth were analyzed according to 154 birth histories of women giving birth for the first time, who were divided into groups according to age: the group I of the study 78 pregnant women aged 20-29 years, the group II - 76 pregnant women aged 30-40 years. Results. Іn the state of asphyxia, women giving birth for the first time in the group II (aged 30-40 years) had 4.3 times more newborns compared to women in the group I: in mild asphyxia 8 (10.5%) cases versus 3 (3.8%) cases; and moderate and severe asphyxia was observed only in women in the group II: 3 (3.9%) cases and 2 (2.6%) cases. Premature newborns in the group II were born significantly more - 9 (11.8%) cases versus 2 (2.6%) cases in the group I of the study; with fetal growth retardation syndrome (FGS) 11 (14.5%) cases versus 4 (5.1%) cases. In the group ІІ, posthypoxic encephalopathy and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were diagnosed in 11 (14.5%) versus 3 (3.8%) cases in the group ІІ and 7 (9.2%) versus 1 (1.3%) cases, respectively. Conclusions. The increase in perinatal morbidity is directly correlated with the degree of perinatal risk in pregnant women giving birth for the first time at the age of 30 to 40 years, which is observed among such diseases of newborns as asphyxia, prematurity, fetal growth retardation syndrome, posthypoxic encephalopathy and respiratory distress syndrome The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the paper. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the author.

Primary cardiac tumors in children represent a rare but potentially life-threatening pathology that requires a high level of clinical vigilance and a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. Aim - to analyze current data on the epidemiology, morphological types, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management principles of primary cardiac tumors in young children (early childhood). Primary cardiac tumors in children are uncommon, yet they demonstrate significant clinical and morphological variability. This review analyzes epidemiological patterns, evaluates diagnostic methods with proven effectiveness (fetal and postnatal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging), and outlines current approaches to surgical and conservative treatment. The article also highlights clinical scenarios where treatment decisions remain controversial due to the lack of standardized protocols. Conclusions. Despite notable progress in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, several aspects of managing primary cardiac tumors in children - particularly in early childhood - require further investigation. Key priorities include risk stratification, comparative evaluation of therapeutic strategies, and the development of diagnostic algorithms to ensure more individualized and evidence-based care for this complex patient population. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

The results of existing studies on mineral metabolism and its impact on the development of dental caries as a complication of disorders of teeth formation in children are ambiguous and require in depth study. Aim - to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of complexes of therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at preventing complications against the background of disorders of teeth formation in children, taking into account the mineralizing potential of the oral fluid. Materials and methods. The study object is 289 children. The average age of the survey is 8.75±6.37 years. Two complexes of therapeutic and preventive measures have been developed with the inclusion of remineralizing drugs. Application - 2 years. Caries intensity was evaluated in accordance with the recommendations of the WHO Experts Committee (2013), taking into account «decayed, filled» (df) for temporary teeth, «decayed, missing, and filled» (DMF) for permanent teeth (df + DMF for mixed bite). The laboratory examination included the determination of the concentration of total calcium and phosphates in the oral fluid. Statistical data processing was performed using variational statistics methods. Results. The complex of therapeutic and prophylactic measures with the inclusion of a water-based remineralizing row, which contains casein phosphopeptide-amorphic calcium phosphate has proved more effective. Two years after its introduction, the content of calcium in the oral fluid of children of all groups increased and was in the range from 1.17±0.11 to 1.48±0.15 mg/l, the level of phosphates also increased - from 3.37±0.16 to 4.08±0.46 mg/l; the intensity of dental caries in groups of individuals with systemic enamel hypoplasia, both with and without somatic pathology, as well as in children with molar-incisor enamel hypomineralization, not burdened by somatic pathology, was significantly lower compared to baseline indicators. Conclusions. In order to prevent complications, including dental caries in children with disorders of teeth formation, two complexes of therapeutic and preventive measures were proposed, the effectiveness of which was evaluated in dynamics within 12-24 months. Carrying out preventive measures increased the level of mineral components of oral fluid and led to a decrease in the intensity of dental caries in children with disorders of teeth formation, which was more pronounced when using a complex with the inclusion of a water-based remineralizing cream containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the mentioned institution. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The author declares no conflict of interest.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect characterized by narrowing of the aortic lumen, most often in the region of the isthmus, leading to impaired systemic blood flow. Hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor that occurs in about 10% of infants, more frequently in girls. In most cases, they are asymptomatic; however, when large, they may compress adjacent structures such as the aorta or airways, leading to hemodynamic compromise or respiratory disorders. Aim - to present a clinical case of a rare combination of a cutaneous hemangioma of the chest wall, a mediastinal hemangioma, and coarctation of the aorta in a one-month-old infant, highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Clinical case. A one-month-old infant, born at 35 weeks of gestation as the second of twins conceived via in vitro fertilization, was noted to have a large hemangioma on the anterior chest wall. Before initiating beta-blocker therapy, the child was referred to a cardiologist, and echocardiography revealed coarctation of the aorta with a high pressure gradient. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a massive mediastinal vascular tumor extending to major vessels, which precluded radical surgical repair of the heart defect due to the high risk of massive intraoperative bleeding. Under these circumstances, balloon angioplasty was performed, resulting in partial reduction of the pressure gradient, after which beta-blocker therapy was initiated, with the plan for radical correction following hemangioma regression. Conclusions. In our case, the chest wall hemangioma prompted extended diagnostic evaluation, which enabled timely identification of not only the mediastinal tumor but also coarctation of the aorta. This emphasizes the importance of comprehensive evaluation of children with hemangiomas to rule out associated vascular anomalies, including aortic arch involvement and PHACES syndrome. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from participant. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Skeletal dysplasia is a rare genetic pathology that is a consequence of disorders of osteo-, chondrogenesis and other changes in the development and growth of epiphyseal cartilage, epiphyses, metaphyses, diaphyses of long bones and vertebral bodies, which leads to dysfunction of peripheral joints and spine in children. Aim - to familiarize with the features of the course, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) with osteoarthritis and progressive osteoporosis in childhood. A clinical case of own observation of a child of adolescent age with complaints of difficulty walking, rapid fatigue, limping, starting pain in the joints, back during the day, limitation of function of the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, radiocarpal joints, cervical spine, contractures of the elbow, radiocarpal joints is presented. In the presence of typical signs of the SED phenotype (short stature, specific facial features, rapid fatigue, limping, starting pain in the joints, back during the day, limitation of function of the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, radiocarpal joints, cervical spine, contractures of the elbow, radiocarpal joints), no extraskeletal manifestations were detected in the child. During molecular genetic testing, a heterozygous variant in the COL2A1 gene (p.611G>A (p.Gly204Asp)) was identified in the patient, which is associated with bone disease and is characterized by the development of generalized osteoarthritis and systemic osteoporosis. Conclusions. Congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia in childhood can occur under the guise of rheumatic diseases without obvious laboratory activity of the inflammatory process and early development of contractures, stiffness in the joints and progressive osteoporosis. Patients require a comprehensive examination using modern laboratory, instrumental and genetic examination methods and careful differential diagnosis and involvement of a multidisciplinary team of specialists for the management of such patients. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent of the child's parents was obtained for the study. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Vascular malformations in children encompass a diverse spectrum of congenital anomalies, often presenting at birth or in early childhood. Among these, vascular nevi (port-wine stains, or nevus flammeus) represent congenital capillary malformations that may lead to significant cosmetic and functional impairments. Aim: to identify the main clinical and genetic features of a rare case of vascular nevus in a child and to determine the diagnostic criteria that allow timely differentiation of this pathology from other vascular malformations. Clinical case. This study presents a retrospective analysis of a clinical case of vascular nevus in a 6-year-old girl. The patient exhibited congenital vascular pigmentation and progressive limb asymmetry. The patient presented with an extensive capillary malformation affecting the lumbar region, thigh, lower leg, and foot, associated with hypertrophy of the affected limb. X-ray examination confirmed a 2 cm anatomical lengthening of the right tibia with preserved growth plate function. Clinical features raised suspicion of phakomatosis, necessitating differential diagnosis with such conditions as Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, Sturge-Weber syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis. Genetic testing did not reveal pathogenic mutations commonly associated with phakomatoses, supporting the final diagnosis of an isolated vascular nevus with musculoskeletal involvement. The patient was prescribed a multidisciplinary treatment plan, including orthotic correction, physical therapy, and postural monitoring to prevent scoliosis progression. Conclusions. Vascular malformations, particularly large vascular nevi, can induce disproportionate musculoskeletal growth, mimicking syndromic phakomatoses. The case highlights the necessity of integrating clinical, radiological, and genetic evaluations to ensure accurate diagnosis and tailored management. The findings emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring in children with complex vascular anomalies to optimize functional outcomes and prevent secondary orthopedic complications. The study was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The informed consent of the children's parents was obtained for the research. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.