Infantile functional dyspepsia syndrome is a common syndrome complex of digestive system in children aged 0 to 3 years. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by such symptoms as decreased appetite, belching and abdominal distension, retching or vomiting, repeated crying, abdominal pain, and abnormal defecation, which seriously affect the growth, development and quality of life of infants. Both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine have certain advantages in the treatment and management of this disease. Led by the National Clinical Collaboration Group for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia—a major difficult disease program, the consensus was developed through cooperation with integrated TCM and western medicine experts in pediatric gastroenterology, experts in pediatric Tuina and external therapy, and experts in methodology. Based on the concept of integrating TCM and western medicine, this consensus clarifies the diagnostic criteria and key points of TCM syndrome differentiation, and establishes a comprehensive intervention system centered on protecting and reinforcing the spleen and stomach. Western medicine focuses on nutritional management and feeding guidance, recommending appropriate formula milk and scientific complementary feeding. TCM interventions mainly include pediatric Tuina, acupoint application, and dietary therapy, combined with personalized care guidance. This consensus provides a basis for standardized clinical diagnosis, treatment and family care, which is of great significance in increasing the level of integrated TCM and western medicine in the management of this disease.

Short stature is a common disease in pediatric clinics. The causes of its occurrence are complex, which not only involve genetic, nutritional, endocrine and many other factors, but also are closely related to the environment, psychology and lifestyle. At present, doctors use internal and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and a combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine to treat short stature in children, which can significantly improve children's height and body mass. The process of syndrome differentiation and treatment mostly starts from the five internal organs as a whole, and adopts the methods of strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, tonifying the kidneys and replenishing qi, soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, and strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lungs, etc., to regulate the functions of the internal organs, so that the children can regain normal growth and development. This article intends to review the research progress of doctors' treatment for short stature in children based on the spleen, kidney, liver, heart and lung and the researches on modern medical mechanism of the indicators related to the five internal organs and children's height, aiming to provide a systematic summary and reference for the syndrome differentiation and treatment system of short stature in children.

Chronic cough and short stature both impose significant psychological burdens on the children and their family members. However, few scholars have explored the connection between the two. This paper systematically investigates the intrinsic link between chronic cough and short stature in children, based on Zhang Zhongjing's theory from Jingyue Quanshu that "Prolonged damage to the five Zang-organs eventually affects the kidney" and combined with modern experimental research. The core pathogenesis in traditional Chinese medicine is that prolonged coughing in children with chronic cough injures the lungs, which in turn affects the spleen and eventually impacts the kidneys, leading to bone marrow depletion and weakened bones and resulting in short stature. Modern medicine believes that the children are affected by chronic cough or chronic inflammation, inadequate nutrition, insufficient sleep and lack of exercise, which ultimately impairs linear growth of height. Therefore, in the later stages of the disease, treatment principles such as "reinforcing the earth to generate metal" and "mutual promotion between metal and water" are applied based on syndrome differentiation to regulate the children's constitution, compensate for physical damage caused by prolonged illness, support growth and development, and prevent failure to reach the ideal adult height. This article systematically summarizes the TCM pathogenesis, pathological mechanisms, and therapeutic principles of TCM of chronic cough that lead to short stature in children, aiming to provide theoretical foundations and clinical references for preventing and treating growth impairment due to chronic cough in children.

Based on the theory of "Yang transforming into Qi, Yin generating form", this study demonstrates that "insufficiency of Yin generating form" is the core pathogenesis of short stature, while "dysfunction of Yang transforming into Qi" is the critical point of syndrome differentiation. Growth and development of children is a dynamic evolution of Yin-Yang balance guided by Yang Qi. Deficiency of Yang transforming into Qi leads to a slow dynamic evolution of Yin-Yang balance; the transformation of Qi generates essence, and the insufficiency of Qi transformation leads to lack of source for essence generation, which results in insufficiency of Yin generating form. In contrast, excessive transformation of Yang into Qi leads to too fast dynamic evolution of Yin-Yang balance; exuberant fire consumes Qi and scorches body fluids, which results in the failure of Yin to generate form. The essential point of the above-mentioned two situations is "insufficiency of Yin generating form", so it is impossible to generate body fluids and blood to nourish the limbs and bones, which results in short stature. In terms of treatment, emphasis should be placed on moderately tonifying the spleen and kidney, seeking Yin from Yang, and regulating Qi and blood simutaneously. The aim is to provide a new theoretical perspective and clinical approach for differentiated treatment of short stature based on the dynamic change of Yin-Yang balance.

The "Opening-Closing Pivot" theory constitutes a core physiological regulation theory in traditional Chinese medicine. The Taiyang and Taiyin meridians govern "opening", overseeing the dispersion of nutrients and fluid metabolism; the Yangming and Jueyin meridians regulate "closing", managing food digestion and essence-blood storage; the Shaoyang and Shaoyin meridians control "pivot", serving as the core of coordinating qi dynamics and facilitating opening and closing. The synergistic action of the three maintains visceral qi circulation and nutrient distribution, forming a critical developmental mechanism in children. Children with liver depression and spleen deficiency often exhibit short stature due to inherent liver excess and spleen deficiency, which may lead to emotional disturbances and cause Shaoyang pivot stagnation. The stagnated Wood restrains Earth, disrupting Taiyin's opening-closing balance and Yangming's closing mechanism, which, combined with liver-blood deficiency, ultimately compromises the capacity of qi-blood production and impairs musculoskeletal nourishment, resulting in growth retardation. Xiaoyao powder soothes the Shaoyang meridian to regulate the pivot with bupleurum and fingered citron, strengthens the Taiyin meridian to restore opening with Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria and fried Licorice, harmonizes Yangming to assist closing with stewed ginger combined with fingered citron, and nourishes Jueyin to nourish blood with Angelica sinensis and white peony root. The entire formula regulates the pivot, restores opening, assists closing, and nourishes blood, achieving harmonious coordination between liver and spleen as well as mutual generation of qi and blood. It precisely targets the pathogenesis of dysregulation of opening, closing and pivot, making it an effective prescription for treating short stature with liver depression and spleen deficiency.

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is one of the common upper respiratory tract diseases in pediatric clinical practice, characterized by complex etiology and recurrent symptoms. Western medicine mainly relies on surgical treatment and adjuvant hormone therapy, but surgery is invasive and symptoms tend to recur after discontinuing hormone drugs. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of AH and is easily accepted by parents. Current domestic and foreign literatures mostly focus on the summary of medical cases managed by famous TCM physicians, the improvement effect of TCM on clinical symptoms, and efficacy evaluation. However, researches on the mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of AH are relatively scarce. Therefore, this article systematically reviews domestic and foreign literatures in recent years, summarizes and refines the mechanisms of action of TCM active ingredients, TCM herb pairs, TCM compound prescriptions, and TCM external therapies in the treatment of AH, aiming to provide certain reference for subsequent ideas on clinical diagnosis and treatment and experimental research on AH.

Chronic cough in children is one of the common diseases during childhood and adolescence with a prolonged course， and modern medical treatments often face problems of high recurrence rate. Traditional Chinese medicine shows unique advantages in the treatment of this disease. This article takes the "Xuanfu–Qiye–Sanjiao" theory as the entry point， and combines Liu Wansu's "Xuanfu Qiye" theory with the traditional Sanjiao theory to explore the association between its pathophysiology and pediatric chronic cough. Based on this theory， the core pathological mechanism can be summarized as the failure of Xuanfu in opening and closing， the disordered transportation of Qiye， and the abnormal functioning of the Sanjiao in dispersing and descending. Therefore， treatment should focus on "opening Xuanfu， regulating Qiye， and unblocking the Sanjiao" to break the pathological cycle mentioned above, fundamentally solving the problem of prolonged and refractory chronic cough in children. The prescription used is "Sanren decoction"，which aligns with the principles of "dispersing the upper Jiao， regulating the middle Jiao， and draining the lower Jiao" to work together to open Xuanfu and unblock the Sanjiao to restore Qi transformation. Its overall multi-target and multi-level regulatory effects correspond to modern pathological mechanisms involved in pediatric chronic cough， such as "airway hyperreactivity， chronic inflammation， and immune disorder", which ultimately achieves the effect of proper circulation of Qiye, and the cough stops.

Severe adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is frequently comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the two conditions interact to form a vicious cycle. Chronic cerebral hypoxia induced by persistent sleep-disordered breathing secondary to severe AH may be associated with the aggravation of ADHD manifestations. Professor Jiang Zhiyan, the fourth-generation inheritor of the Shanghai School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "Xu's Pediatrics", believes, from the comorbidity perspective, that the core pathogenesis of comorbid severe AH and ADHD lies in impaired transportation of spleen, phlegm nodules obstructing the orifices, and spleen deficiency with liver hyperactivity. Impaired transportation of spleen leads to internal generation of phlegm-dampness, and obstruction of the nasal orifices by phlegm-turbidity results in AH; spleen deficiency-induced malnutrition and hyperactivity of liver-wood disturb the mind, manifesting as ADHD symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Based on this, Professor Jiang has proposed the theory of "regulating the spleen to treat nasal disorders" and formulated the prescription of regulating spleen, resolving phlegm and unblocking orifices. With restoring the spleen's function of transportation as the fundamental goal, this prescription improves the pathological basis for the formation of phlegm and blood stasis at the root causes, while simultaneously exerting the effects of suppressing hyperactivity and soothing the liver to regulate ADHD symptoms. Clinical practice has demonstrated that this prescription can effectively relieve severe AH-related manifestations and alleviate ADHD-associated symptoms, offering a novel therapeutic approach for the traditional Chinese medicine management of severe AH complicated with ADHD.

The theory of "immature Yin-Yang" is one of the core theories used to explain the characteristics of children. Its essence refers to the fact that children are in an underdeveloped state in terms of material basis or physiological functions and activities. Modern medicine believes that the core mechanism of childhood obesity is related to the theory of "immature Yin-Yang" in traditional Chinese medicine. This article deeply explores the pathological mechanism of childhood obesity and the strategies for differential diagnosis and treatment, with the aim of providing classic theoretical basis and clinical practice guidance for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity with traditional Chinese medicine in modern times.

Adenoid hypertrophy(AH) is a common disease in pediatrics and otorhinolaryngology, which refers to the pathological hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adenoids in the nasopharynx due to repeated inflammatory stimulation, and causes a series of clinical symptoms. Based on the origin of the theory of "preventing orifices obstruction" and its connotation in traditional Chinese medicine, this paper holds that the closure of the orifices is the cause of all diseases and the pathological basis of all diseases. It expounds the etiology and pathogenesis of AH, indicating that the core of its pathogenesis lies in the obstruction of the lung orifices and the obstruction in the flow of qi, blood and body fluid. In addition, the deficiency in the three organs of the lung, spleen and kidney in children is likely to produce phlegm, blood stasis and other pathological products, resulting in symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, mouth breathing, snoring during sleep, ear tightness and ear swelling. Therefore, it is necessary to make timely and effective intervention to improve the quality of life and sleep, the maxillofacial development and even physical and mental health of children. In clinical treatment, the theory of "preventing orifices obstruction" is followed; AH in the acute phase is mostly caused by external pathogens, and Xinyi, Cangerzi, Baizhi and other pungent and warm aromatic herbs are added to the prescription to help the exterior-releasing herbs to disperse the exterior pathogens. At the same time, its aromatic smell can dredge the lung orifices and relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose. The application of aromatic dampness-resolving herbs such as Huoxiang, Cangzhu and Shichangpu in the remission period is to strengthen the spleen and help transportation, disperse dampness and turbidity in the middle energizer, strengthen the effect of eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis, disperse stagnation and dredge orifices, and dredge qi movement, so as to restore the flow of local qi and blood and body fluid and enable Zang-fu organs to work normally.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of self-made Jianpi Xuanfei Huatan recipe combined with inhaled ambroxol hydrochloride solution in the treatment of protracted bacterial bronchitis(PBB) (the type of phlegm-dampness accumulating in lung) in children. Methods From January 2023 to April 2025,90 cases of PBB (the type of phlegm-dampness accumulating in lung) received treatment in the Pediatric Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of TCM, and they were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 cases in each group. The control group was treated with sensitive antibiotics combined with inhaled ambroxol hydrochloride solution, while the observation group was given self-made Jianpi Xuanfei Huatan recipe on this basis. The clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome score, cough symptom score, serum inflammatory factors, T-lymphocyte subset level, adverse reactions and recurrence rate after 6 months were compared between the two groups after 2 weeks of treatment. Results The total effective rate was 95.56%（43/45） in the observation group, significantly higher than that in the control group（82.22%, 37/45）,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The TCM syndrome score and cough symptom score of the two groups were lower after treatment than before treatment, and the score in the observation group was even lower(P<0.05).After treatment, there was no significant difference in the levels of total white blood cells(WBC), neutrophils(NRUT), C-reactive protein(CRP) or procalcitonin(PCT) between the two groups（P>0.05）.In terms of immune function, CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ were elevated after treatment, and the increase was more significant in the observation group.There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups during the treatment（P>0.05）.The recurrence rate of the observation group in the 6-month follow-up was 4.65%（2/43）,obviously lower than that of the control group (18.92%, 7/37）,and the difference was of statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of self-made Jianpi Xuanfei Huatan recipe with inhaled ambroxol hydrochloride solution is effective and safe in the treatment of PBB (the type of phlegm-dampness accumulating in lung) in children, which can improve the immune status of children and reduce the recurrence rate.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Liuwei Dihuang pill combined with auricular point pressing in the treatment of pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. Methods Fifty-two children with ADHD of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome admitted to Huzhou Nanxun District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2025 to March 2026 were included as research subjects, and they were randomly divided into two groups, with 26 cases in each group. The control group received psychological and behavioral intervention， while the observation group additionally received modified Liuwei Dihuang pill combined with auricular point pressing. Both groups were treated continuously for three months. The Swanson, Nolan and Pelham rating scale?Ⅳ(SNAP-Ⅳ) scores， traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome scores， Conners Hyperactivity Index scores， and total effective rate were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results One patient dropped out from the control group and one from the observation group. Ultimately， a total of 50 patients completed the entire observation course， including 25 patients in the control group and 25 in the observation group. After treatment， the observation group showed significant improvement in inattention， hyperactivity-impulsivity， and oppositional defiant symptoms compared with before treatment (P<0.05). The observation group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in these symptoms compared with the control group(P<0.05). After treatment， the primary symptom scores， secondary symptom scores， and total scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The observation group also had significantly lower primary symptom scores， secondary symptom scores， and total scores compared with the control group(P<0.05). After treatment， the Conners Hyperactivity Index score in the observation group was significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). The observation group also had a significantly lower Conners Hyperactivity Index score compared to the control group(P<0.05). After treatment， the total effective rate of the observation group was 96.0%(24/25), which was higher than that of the control group (68.0%, 17/25) (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified Liuwei Dihuang pill combined with auricular point pressing can significantly improve the behavioral manifestations of pediatric ADHD of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and effectively increase the clinical effect on ADHD children.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Jingling oral solution in the treatment of transient tic disorders in children. Methods A total of 60 children with tic disorders treated in the Pediatric Outpatient Department of Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from September 2022 to September 2024 were enrolled as research subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with Jingling oral solution, while the control group received tiapride hydrochloride. Both groups were treated for one course of treatment (3 months). The clinical efficacy was evaluated using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and standardized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scoring scale, and the safety of the medications was assessed. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). The YGTSS scores of both groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05); there was no statistically significant intergroup difference in YGTSS scores before or after treatment (P>0.05). The TCM syndrome scores of both groups decreased after treatment, and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in the observation group after treatment, whereas mild adverse reactions occurred in the control group. Conclusion Jingling oral solution can effectively alleviate tic symptoms and TCM syndromes in children with transient tic disorders of Yin?deficiency and wind?stirring syndrome, with favorable medication safety.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of the Shanghai-style pediatric massage technique "meridian unblocking and neck regulation method" in the treatment of pediatric muscular torticollis, and to quantitatively assess the changes in the Young's modulus， shear wave velocity and thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle before and after treatment using high-frequency ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods A total of 32 pediatric patients with muscular torticollis were selected as research subjects, who visited Jiangqiao Town Community Health Service Center of Jiading District in Shanghai between Dec. 2022 and Aug. 2025, and they were treated with the Shanghai-style pediatric massage technique "meridian unblocking and neck regulation method", once a day for five days per week over a period of six months. Before treatment and after six months of treatment， the Young's modulus， shear wave velocity and thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the affected side were measured using high-frequency ultrasound combined with SWE technology, and clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results After treatment， 25 (78.1%) of the 32 pediatric patients achieved complete recovery， 6 (18.7%) showed improvement， and 1 (3.2%) had no response， resulting in a total effective rate of 96.8%. The Young's modulus， shear wave velocity and thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the affected side exhibited significant reductions after treatment， with marked differences observed between pre- and post-treatment values (P<0.05). Conclusion The Shanghai-style pediatric massage technique "meridian unblocking and neck regulation method" demonstrates definitive efficacy in the treatment of pediatric muscular torticollis. It significantly improves the stiffness and thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and alleviates the symptoms， making this approach worthy of promotion.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of paediatric Tuina combined with the Yunpi formula in the treatment of children with anorexia. Methods A total of 112 children with anorexia admitted to the Paediatric Department of Pingdingshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between April 2023 and June 2025 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each comprising 56 cases. Children in the control group were treated with oral bifidobacterium quadruple live bacteria tablets. Children in the observation group received treatment combining acupoint Tuina with the Yunpi formula. After 4 weeks of continuous treatment, the clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, gastrointestinal hormone levels, D-xylose levels, appetite factor levels and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The overall effective rate in the observation group was 96.43%(54/56), which was higher than that in the control group (83.93%, 47/56), and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores(loss of appetite, aversion to food, epigastric fullness and distension, belching and nausea, irregular bowel movements, and postprandial epigastric and abdominal distension) in the observation group were all lower than before treatment, and the observation group's scores were lower than those of the control group; all differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of gastrointestinal hormones(serum gastrin, motilin) and D-xylose in the observation group were higher than before treatment, and the observation group was higher than the control group, with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05). The level of the appetite factor neuropeptide Y after treatment in the observation group was higher than that before treatment, and the observation group's level was higher than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). The level of the appetite factor leptin after treatment in the observation group was lower than that before treatment, and the observation group's level was lower than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group. Conclusion The combination of paediatric Tuina with Yunpi formula demonstrates significant efficacy in the treatment of children with anorexia. It effectively reduces the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, improves gastrointestinal hormone levels, intestinal absorption and appetite factor levels, and is very safe.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of "Jin's Three-Needle Therapy" combined with cognitive function training-aided transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in children with developmental delay. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 84 children with developmental delay admitted to Zhumadian First People's Hospital from June 2021 to June 2025.According to whether they received "Jin's Three-Needle Therapy" or not, the 84 children were divided into observation group (n=45) and control group (n=39).The children in the control group received cognitive function training and tDCS intervention, while children in the observation group were additionally treated with "Jin's Three?Needle Therapy" on the basis of the control group's regimen; the two groups received continuous intervention for 3 months.The Gesell Developmental Scale was used to assess the intellectual level of children in the two groups before and after intervention,the Gross Motor Function Measure?88 (GMFM?88) and Peabody Developmental Motor Scales?Fine Motor (PDMS?FM) were adopted to evaluate motor function, and the enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serological indicators. The incidence of adverse reactions was recorded. Results After intervention, the intellectual level in the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).After intervention, the GMFM?88 and PDMS?FM scores, as well as serum levels of brain?derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), were significantly increased compared with those before intervention in the two groups. Moreover, all scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group after intervention, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The "Jin's Three?Needle Therapy" combined with cognitive function training as an adjunct to tDCS yields certain therapeutic effects on children with developmental delay of liver?kidney deficiency syndrome, which helps promote intellectual development and improve motor function..

Objective To systematically analyze the evolving trends in research on childhood obesity and precocious puberty using bibliometric and bioinformatic methods, and to explore their potential shared molecular mechanisms. Methods The articles on childhood obesity and precocious puberty published between January 2005 and March 2026 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to visualize publication trends, collaborations among countries, institutions and authors, as well as keyword evolution. Concurrently, shared targets were identified by integrating the GeneCards, OMIM, and DrugBank databases. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, followed by GO, KEGG, and DO enrichment analyses. Results A total of 214 articles were included. The annual publication output showed an overall upward trend, with the United States and China being the major contributing countries. Keyword analysis revealed that the research focus in this field had gradually shifted from epidemiological descriptions in the early stage to mechanisms involving metabolic abnormalities, neuroendocrine regulation, and environmental factors. A total of 1 392 shared genes were identified. The protein-protein interaction network suggested that TP53, AKT1, CTNNB1, ESR1, EP300, STAT3, EGFR, and MYC might serve as core nodes. Enrichment analyses indicated that the shared genes primarily involved the biological processes such as transcriptional regulation, hormone response and signal transduction, and were significantly enriched in signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, FoxO, cAMP, and AGE-RAGE. Conclusion Researches on childhood obesity and precocious puberty are shifting from phenotypic association analysis to integrated mechanistic investigation. Core genes such as AKT1, TP53, and ESR1, along with pathways including PI3K-Akt and AGE-RAGE, may play important roles in the comorbidity of these two conditions, providing clues for future mechanistic studies and early intervention.