Preterm birth and low birth weight (PBLBW) persist as critical public health concerns worldwide, significantly contributing to the global disease burden [1]. Preterm birth (PTB) is characterised by the delivery of an infant before reaching 37 weeks of gestation. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g, irrespective […]

Background: Despite widespread vaccination, pertussis persists as a critical global public health threat, particularly for individuals under 20 years old. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the global burden of pertussis in this population, with a specific focus on disparities related to age, sex, location, and socioeconomic development. Methods: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021 to quantify the burden of pertussis including incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among individuals under 20 years old across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. Burden estimates were stratified by age, sex, location, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Temporal trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and the association between burden metrics and SDI was evaluated via smoothing spline models and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of pertussis in individuals under 20 years old decreased by 77.7%. Similarly, deaths and DALYs due to pertussis declined by 80.3%. In 2021, low-SDI regions reported the highest number of pertussis cases, deaths, and DALYs, whereas high-SDI regions had the lowest. Geographically, South Asia had the highest case count, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa led in deaths and DALYs. Infants had the highest incidence, mortality, and DALY rates. Gender disparities were observed, with females generally having higher rates than males, except in Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa. A negative correlation was noted between SDI and pertussis burden. Conclusions: Our study provides valuable insights into the global pertussis burden among individuals under 20 years old. Despite overall improvements, significant variations exist. Our findings emphasize the need for sustained and improved vaccination strategies such as maternal immunization, improved coverage and timeliness, and better healthcare access, to further address these inequalities.

Original Article Global burden of developmental intellectual disability in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, 1990–2021: a population-based study Xinjia Gu, Taixiang Liu, Ruiying Qian, Yujia Wang, Dandan Wang

Sex and gender shape health across the life course, but nationally comparable evidence on how fatal and non-fatal disease burden differs between females and males in China is needed for health planning. We analyzed Global Burden of Disease 2023 estimates for the 20 leading level-3 causes of age-standardized disability-adjusted life-year rates in China, compared patterns with global estimates, projected trends to 2030, and triangulated selected findings using CHARLS 2018. In 2023, males had greater burden from mortality-driven cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and injuries, especially stroke, ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, falls, and road injuries. Female disadvantage was concentrated in gynecological diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, dementia, depressive symptoms, functional limitation, and older-age fall burden. Smoking, alcohol use, occupational risks, and household air pollution contributed differently by sex. These findings support sex-responsive prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term care strategies in China.

Background: Inguinal, femoral, and abdominal hernias (IFAH) are common and treatable pediatric surgical conditions, but delayed diagnosis and limited access to timely surgery may cause preventable death and disability in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the epidemiological trends and burden of IFAH among children aged 0–14 years in LMICs from 1990 to 2023. Methods: Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2023 data, we analyzed incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across 93 LMICs. Statistical analyses included trend assessment, decomposition, frontier analysis, and Bayesian age-period-cohort modeling to project future burden. Results: In 2023, LMICs accounted for 58.4% of global pediatric IFAH cases, with 83.8% of deaths and 74.0% of DALYs. While age-standardized rates declined in most regions since 1990, absolute incident cases rose in low Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions. Infants under one year accounted for over 85% of deaths and males experienced a higher overall burden. Decomposition analysis indicated that epidemiological improvements were partially offset by population growth and aging. Health system performance varied, with countries like Myanmar and Haiti showing inefficiencies, while Somalia and Vanuatu performed better relative to resources. Projections suggest that by 2050, low SDI regions will face a continued rise in cases despite reductions elsewhere. Conclusions: Despite overall declines, significant inequalities persist in the burden of pediatric hernias across LMICs. Future efforts should prioritize early screening, surgical access for infants and children in low SDI regions, and strengthening basic surgical systems to address population growth challenges.