World Children’s Day | Interview with Dr. Anna Di Sessa—Section Board Member of the Journal of Clinical Medicine

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international co-operation, awareness among children worldwide, and improvements in their welfare. This year, under the theme “Listen to the Future, Stand up for Children’s Rights”, we were honored to interview Dr. Anna Di Sessa, a Section Board Member of the Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM, ISSN: 2077-0383).

The following is a short interview with Dr. Anna Di Sessa:

1. Could you introduce yourself and share a brief overview of your research field?
I am a pediatrician with a specialized focus on endocrinology and nephrology, currently practicing at the Pediatric Clinic of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. In January 2020, I earned a PhD in translational medicine from the same institution. Since 2011, my research has primarily concentrated on childhood obesity and its cardiometabolic consequences, particularly focusing on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and kidney damage. 

2. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your research career?
One of the key challenges I have faced was bridging the gap between research findings and their practical application in clinical settings. In pediatrics, while new treatments or interventions may demonstrate promising results in clinical trials, translating these findings into routine practice often encounters significant barriers. These include limitations in healthcare infrastructure, cost considerations, and resistance to adopting new practices among clinicians.
Additionally, conducting research with vulnerable populations, such as children, introduces ethical complexities. Ensuring that studies adhere to high ethical standards while protecting participants’ well-being and privacy requires meticulous planning and ongoing ethical reflection.

3. What does World Children’s Day mean to you, both as a researcher and as a member of the global community?
World Children’s Day serves as a crucial reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and prioritize the health, rights, and well-being of children. As a researcher, it underscores the need to address the unique health challenges children face through evidence-based research. On a broader scale, it emphasizes the importance of creating a world where all children can thrive, free from poverty, violence, and neglect. It is both a call to advance research focused on child health and to advocate for policies that protect and empower children globally.

4. Looking ahead, what changes or advancements would you most like to see in the next 10 years to ensure a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all children?
In the next decade, I hope to see substantial progress in pediatric care, particularly through the integration of personalized medicine. By tailoring treatments to a child’s unique genetic profile, environmental factors, and lifestyle, personalized medicine has the potential to substantially enhance the precision and efficacy of interventions, particularly for complex conditions such as rare diseases, cancers, and chronic illnesses. The broader adoption of telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostic tools could also improve access to care, especially in underserved regions. Furthermore, there should be a heightened focus on pediatric mental health, alongside the development of global policies that ensure universal access to quality education, clean water, nutrition, and protection from harm. These advancements hold the promise of fostering a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for children worldwide.

5. As a Section Board Member of JCM, could you share your experience with MDPI?
As a Section Board Member of JCM, my experience with MDPI has been highly productive and rewarding. MDPI offers a robust platform for open access publishing, ensuring a transparent and efficient peer-review process. Working with MDPI has allowed me to contribute to the strategic direction of the journal, particularly in advancing clinical medicine while maintaining rigorous research standards. The editorial support and global reach provided by MDPI have facilitated the rapid dissemination of research, especially in specialized fields such as pediatrics. Their commitment to innovation and quality has significantly enhanced the visibility and impact of JCM.