Treating Toxic Stress in Pediatric Clinical Practice

Dear Colleagues,

We are witnessing dramatic increases in mental health concerns and chronic health conditions—including obesity, diabetes, and liver disease—appearing at ever younger ages. A growing body of research highlights stress biology as a central, underlying contributor. At the same time, stress biology offers tremendous opportunities, including new insights into how we can better understand and treat toxic stress, with the potential to profoundly improve both mental and physical health outcomes.

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine define toxic stress as the “prolonged activation of the stress response systems that can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment well into the adult years.”

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring innovative interventions and treatments for toxic stress. We are particularly interested in multidisciplinary approaches that translate recent scientific breakthroughs into clinical practice. Our goal is to showcase integrative approaches—including psychosocial programs, medications and supplements, and lifestyle medicine strategies—that demonstrate measurable improvements at the physiological or neurobiological level.

We welcome original research, systematic and narrative reviews, and clinical studies on emerging biomarkers, novel interventions, and longitudinal outcomes. Studies highlighting therapeutic interventions and improvements in stress-related biomarkers, wearable technology data, or neurophysiological mechanisms are especially encouraged.

Together, we can expand the current evidence base and accelerate the translation of science into practice, helping to reduce the burden of toxic stress and foster resilience across the lifespan.

We look forward to your contributions.

Kind regards,

Dr. Rachel Gilgoff
Guest Editor

Dr. Devika Bhushan
Dr. Jorina M. Elbers
Co-Guest Editors

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