From genes to environment: A life-course approach to prevent pediatric autoimmune diseases

doi:10.5409/wjcp.117421

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World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics

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2219-2808

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.

World J Clin Pediatr. Sep 9, 2026; 15(3): 117421
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.117421

From genes to environment: A life-course approach to prevent pediatric autoimmune diseases

Reem Elbeltagi, Eman A Bediwy, Adel S Bediwy, Nermin K Saeed, Mohammed Al-Beltagi

Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Algharbia, Egypt

Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain

Nermin K Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Governmental Hospitals, Ministry of Health, Manama 12, Bahrain

Nermin K Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain

Adel S Bediwy, Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt

Adel S Bediwy, Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Arabian Gulf University‎, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain

Eman A Bediwy, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Algharbia, Egypt

Reem Elbeltagi, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain

Co-first authors: Mohammed Al-Beltagi and Nermin K Saeed.

Author contributions: Al-Biltagi M conceived the study, served as the corresponding author, and led the manuscript drafting; Al-Biltagi M and Saeed NK contributed equally to this manuscript as co-first authors; Al-Biltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Bediwy EA, and Elbeltagi R contributed to data collection and analysis and participated in drafting and critically revising the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

AI contribution statement: No part of the manuscript was generated by AI. Only Grammarly was used for minor grammatical corrections and language polishing. No AI tools were involved in the design of the study, data analysis, or interpretation of the results. No images were generated using AI. All figures are original and author-produced.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Corresponding author: Mohammed Al-Beltagi, MBChB, MD, PhD, Full Professor, Senior Researcher, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, 1 Hassan Radwan Street, Tanta 31511, Algharbia, Egypt. mohamed.elbeltagi@med.tanta.edu.eg

Received: December 8, 2025
Revised: December 24, 2025
Accepted: March 17, 2026
Published online: September 9, 2026
Processing time: 237 Days and 17.4 Hours

Core Tip

Core Tip: The rising global incidence of pediatric autoimmune diseases necessitates a strategic shift from reactive disease management to proactive prevention. This article outlines a comprehensive, integrated framework that leverages advances in genomics and exposomics to identify and intervene in high-risk children. The model begins with primordial prevention during the first 1000 days, progressing through primary and secondary interventions, and concluding with aggressive therapy for established disease. By adopting this tiered approach, clinicians, researchers, and public health officials can work collaboratively to alter disease trajectories, reduce the long-term burden of these conditions, and ultimately improve the health outcomes for future generations.