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Children
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Maternal Health and the Impact on Infant Growth
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Maternal Health and the Impact on Infant Growth

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Pediatric Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 2577

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ginevra Malta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: maternal health; child development; occupational health; pharmacotherapy safety; medico-legal implications
Dr. Fulvio Plescia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: prenatal exposure; alcohol impact; child health; substance abuse; behavioral development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal health is a fundamental determinant of infant growth and development, with far-reaching implications for public health. Ensuring optimal maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum periods is crucial to reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. Various factors, including nutritional status, access to healthcare, environmental influences, and socioeconomic conditions, significantly impact maternal and infant well-being. Recent advancements in epidemiological research, early-life interventions, and policy implementation provide new opportunities for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Background and History of this Topic: Maternal health has long been a focus of medical and public health research as it directly influences perinatal outcomes and child development. Historical data show that maternal undernutrition, infectious diseases, and inadequate prenatal care contribute to poor infant growth and long-term health complications.

Aim and Scope of this Special Issue: This Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between maternal health and infant growth. We seek to publish research that advances our understanding of maternal health determinants and their direct and indirect effects on infant development.

Cutting-Edge Research: Topics of interest include maternal nutrition, prenatal care, social determinants of health, pregnancy-related disorders, the impact of environmental exposures, and interventions aimed at optimizing both maternal and infant health. Studies employing innovative methodologies, such as longitudinal cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and big data analytics, are particularly encouraged.

What Kind of Papers we are Soliciting: We welcome the submission of original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case studies, and policy papers that contribute to our understanding of maternal health and its effects on infant growth. Interdisciplinary approaches integrating epidemiology, clinical medicine, and public health perspectives will be prioritized.

Dr. Ginevra Malta
Dr. Fulvio Plescia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • maternal health
  • infant growth
  • perinatal epidemiology
  • pregnancy outcomes
  • prenatal care
  • neonatal development
  • public health
  • environmental health
  • maternal nutrition
  • birth outcomes

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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14 pages, 496 KB  
Review
Medical–Legal Liability and Indoor Air Pollution in Non-Industrial Environments and Perspectives for Maternal and Child Health
by Ginevra Malta, Angelo Montana, Antonina Argo, Stefania Zerbo, Fulvio Plescia and Emanuele Cannizzaro
Children 2025, 12(10), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101287 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 656
Abstract
Indoor air pollution (IAP) has emerged as a critical yet underrecognized threat to public health, particularly in non-industrial environments such as homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. As individuals spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, exposure to indoor pollutants—such as particulate matter, volatile [...] Read more.
Indoor air pollution (IAP) has emerged as a critical yet underrecognized threat to public health, particularly in non-industrial environments such as homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. As individuals spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, exposure to indoor pollutants—such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and microbial contaminants—can lead to significant health risks. These risks disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions. The effects range from mild respiratory symptoms to severe outcomes like asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review investigates the sources, typologies, and health effects of indoor air pollutants, with a focus on their implications for maternal and child health. In particular, children’s developing systems and higher metabolic intake make them more susceptible to airborne toxins. The study also explores the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding indoor air quality (IAQ), emphasizing how increased awareness and scientific evidence are expanding the scope of medical–legal responsibility. Legal liabilities may arise for property owners, designers, or manufacturers when poor IAQ leads to demonstrable health outcomes. Despite growing concern, there remains a significant research gap concerning the long-term health effects of chronic low-level exposure in residential settings and the efficacy of mitigation strategies. The evolution of smart building technologies and green construction practices offers promising avenues to improve IAQ while maintaining energy efficiency. However, standards and regulations often lag behind scientific findings, highlighting the need for updated, enforceable policies that prioritize human health. This work underscores the urgency of a multidisciplinary and preventive approach to IAQ, integrating public health, environmental engineering, and legal perspectives. Future research should focus on real-time IAQ monitoring, targeted interventions for high-risk populations, and the development of comprehensive legal frameworks to ensure accountability and promote healthier indoor environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and the Impact on Infant Growth)
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Other

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17 pages, 4495 KB  
Systematic Review
Growth Patterns of HIV-Exposed and -Unexposed Infants in African Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Perpetua Modjadji, Kabelo Mokgalaboni, Wendy N. Phoswa, Tebogo Maria Mothiba and Sogolo L. Lebelo
Children 2025, 12(5), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050624 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 1415
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the prevalence and odds of poor growth patterns among HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) versus HIV-unexposed (HUU) infants in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Africa. Methods: We [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the prevalence and odds of poor growth patterns among HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) versus HIV-unexposed (HUU) infants in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Africa. Methods: We reviewed and meta-analyzed studies on growth patterns among HEU versus HUU infants in Africa. Evidence was gathered from the PubMed and Scopus databases following PRISMA guidelines. We independently evaluated the quality of included studies using Newcastle Ottawa guidelines. Data analysis was performed using an online meta-analysis tool, and the results are reported as odds ratios (OR) and prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The odds of stunting were significantly higher among HEU infants compared to HUU infants, with an odds ratio of 1.56 (95% CI: 1.23–1.97; p < 0.01). The pooled prevalence of stunting was 25% (95% CI: 17–33%) in HEU infants and 19% (95% CI: 12–26%) in HUU infants. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for underweight and wasting. The odds of being underweight in HEU infants compared to HUU was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.47–1.56; p = 0.60), with a pooled prevalence of 11% (95% CI: 5–17%) in HEU and 14% (95% CI: 5–24%) in HUU. Similarly, the odds of wasting were 1.10 (95% CI: 0.78–1.56; p = 0.58), with a pooled prevalence of 9% (95% CI: 3–14%) in HEU and 7% (95% CI: 3–12%) in HUU. Conclusions: Stunting was the most prevalent growth deficit among HEU infants compared to their HUU counterparts, with no significant differences observed in the rates of underweight and wasting. To improve postnatal growth outcomes, especially in the evolving landscape of HIV treatment and prevention, efforts should focus on educating and supporting mothers living with HIV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and the Impact on Infant Growth)
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