From pregnancy preparation to vaccination: experts outline priorities in children's health at the forum "Russia and the World: Trends in Healthy Longevity"
Healthy longevity begins in childhood — one of the key theses voiced at the forum “Russia and the World: Trends in Healthy Longevity,” held in Moscow on July 9–10.
Leading experts discussed the key factors that determine a child’s health, including pregnancy preparation, disease prevention, genetic aspects, upbringing in the family and at school, proper nutrition, and the quality of medical care.
Leila Namazova-Baranova, President of the Union of Russian Pediatricians, emphasized that healthy longevity begins not at 45 or 60 years of age, but in childhood and even during the prenatal period. Excess weight, smoking, and stress in parents even before conception increase the risks of developmental disorders in children several times over. In particular, they increase the likelihood of cognitive impairment by a factor of 5.5. During pregnancy, the health of the future child can be adversely affected by maternal anemia, which occurs in 33.7% of cases, and by endocrine disorders. After birth, immunoprophylaxis becomes a crucial element in protecting health. The first vaccinations — against hepatitis B and tuberculosis — are administered within the very first hours of life and contribute to the formation of a full-fledged immune response in the newborn.
The experts also noted that children who frequently suffer from acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and influenza in the first two years of life demonstrate, on average, lower indicators of cognitive development and academic performance. Vaccination is therefore not only protection against infections but also a contribution to a child’s cognitive health.
Kirill Danishevsky, Vice President for Corporate Communications at Petrovax Pharm, noted that immunoprophylaxis remains one of the key tools for protecting children’s health. He recalled that at SPIEF, Petrovax Pharm and the Union of Russian Pediatricians signed an agreement aimed at promoting a culture of vaccination and expanding immunoprophylaxis programs.
Petrovax Pharm continues to develop domestic solutions in the field of infectious disease prevention. In the coming months, the company expects to obtain marketing authorization for the Russian quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. Based on the results of clinical trials, the product has demonstrated advantages in a number of indicators compared with its foreign counterpart.
