Innovation Takes Centre Stage in Paediatric healthcare

Children represent approximately one-third of the world's population, with over 580 million in the East Asia and Pacific region alone Source: UNICEF). Historically underrepresented in healthcare care delivery and innovation, the landscape is evolving as governments and healthcare organisations in the region strive to address paediatric healthcare needs. Paediatric healthcare spans recommended immunisations before adulthood to developmental health, mental health, neonatal care and rare diseases, among others. Let's deep dive into the innovations enhancing children’s well being in the region.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

Innovations in paediatric healthcare are rapidly advancing in the Asia Pacific region, driven by new technologies and collaborative efforts to improve children's well-being. From cuttingedge medical devices improving preterm births, to technology addressing mental healthcare and advanced genetic screening, Asia Pacific is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to enhance paediatric care.

Newborn genetic screening is advancing significantly in the region. Traditionally focused on detecting a limited number of rare diseases with early onset and established treatments, such programmes are now integrating genomic sequencing to enhance early detection and intervention.

A pioneering study by Chinese firm BGI Genomics highlights the potential of gene panels as a primary screening tool, benefitting approximately one out of every 500 newborns. This approach is part of broader efforts across the APAC region, where studies like the Epi-Genomic Newborn Screening (EpiGNs) programme in Victoria, Australia, aim to identify conditions linked to intellectual disability, autism, severe obesity, and seizures through genomic analysis as part of routine heel prick tests.

Another study in Australia, the Baby Beyond project, funded by the government, plans to sequence the genomes of 1,000 newborns to screen for around 500 treatable childhood-onset disorders. This initiative builds upon earlier efforts and underscores the potential of integrating genomic data into electronic health records (EHRs) for ongoing healthcare management and research.