All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation “Medical and Social Problems of Childhood: Interdisciplinary Clinical Dialogues”
On October 17–18, 2025, the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation “Medical and Social Problems of Childhood: Interdisciplinary Clinical Dialogues” and the workshop “Ethical Issues (Empathy, Bioethics, Confidentiality) in Medical Practice” were held in a hybrid format at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.
The event was organized by the Department of Pediatrics with Pediatric Surgery of TNMU and the Public Organization “Association of the Medical Community of Ternopil Region.”
Leading specialists from Ukraine and Lithuania took part in the conference. During the sessions, 26 scientific reports were presented and discussed.
On behalf of the Acting Rector of TNMU, Professor Mykhailo Korda, the participants were greeted by Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Ivan Klishch. He emphasized the relevance of the conference topic, especially during wartime, highlighting its importance in the context of the complex demographic situation, when many children are outside Ukraine and face adaptation challenges in new educational and living environments. He also underlined the difficulties of providing medical care to children due to material constraints and a shortage of pediatricians. Therefore, it is crucial for doctors and scientists to accumulate, analyze, and develop new approaches and algorithms for improving pediatric medical care.
The first session was opened by Professor Arūnas Valiulis of Vilnius University, Lithuania, with a presentation “Aerosol Pollutants, Heavy Metals and Organic Matter: New Evidence of Harmful Effects on Child Health.” He spoke about the levels of air pollution in kindergartens and schools and the negative impact of aerosols and heavy metals on children’s health.
Professor Oksana Boyarchuk, Head of the Department of Pediatrics with Pediatric Surgery at TNMU, presented a report, “A Limping Child through the Eyes of a Primary Care Physician,” discussing several clinical cases, the importance of recognizing alarming symptoms, and the challenges of differential diagnosis requiring timely referral to specialists.
Professor Leonid Dubei from Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University delivered a lecture “Anemia in Adolescents: From Classification to Treatment,” covering clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and iron therapy in children.
Immunologist Fedir Lapii, Head of the National Technical Group of Experts on Immunoprophylaxis (Kyiv), presented “New Changes in the Immunization Schedule in Ukraine,” explaining the rationale, timing, and methods of vaccine administration under the new Ministry of Health order.
Associate Professor Oleksandra Shulhai of TNMU discussed “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children: Do We Know Everything?”, highlighting diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Associate Professor Tetiana Hariián presented “SIBO as a Mask: What Lies Behind Functional Disorders,” describing a clinical case of a child with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and discussing its causes, clinical manifestations, and treatment.
Associate Professor Sofiia Levenets reported on “A Case of Euglycemic Ketoacidosis in Childhood,” explaining the role of ketone bodies, diagnosis, and treatment.
Professor Oleksandr Yashan, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology at TNMU, presented “The Role of Otoscopy in Clinical Practice,” focusing on indications, types, and treatment methods for ear diseases.
Professor Olena Koloskova from Bukovinian State Medical University (Chernivtsi) spoke about “Modern Phytotherapeutic Practices in the Treatment and Prevention of Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Children.”
The second session opened with Professor Svitlana Nykytiuk’s report “Chickenpox: Clinical Features and Complications.” She discussed the pathogenesis, neurological complications, treatment, and prenatal diagnosis of maternal-fetal varicella-zoster infection.
Associate Professor Nataliia Shcherbatiuk presented a case of “Atypical Kawasaki Disease.”
Professor Olha Fedortsiv delivered a lecture “Pneumonia in Young Children: Clinical Features and Pathogenesis,” covering etiology, genetic aspects, and specific features in newborns.
Associate Professor Liubov Volianska spoke on “Viral Pneumonia in Children: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches,” explaining how to distinguish viral from bacterial pneumonia.
Professor Vasyl Kopcha of the Department of Infectious Diseases at TNMU gave a lecture “Viral Hepatitis in Family Practice,” describing clinical signs, diagnostic markers, and factors influencing fibrosis progression.
Professor Mariia Shkilna discussed “Modern Aspects of Lyme Borreliosis Diagnosis,” covering tick development, disease stages, and diagnostic methods.
Inha Kubei from the Ternopil Regional Center for Child Rehabilitation presented “Rehabilitation Assistance for Children: Modern Approaches and Challenges.”
Associate Professor Nataliia Yarema reported on “Clinical Awareness of Lysosomal Storage Diseases as the Key to Early Diagnosis.”
Immunologist Iryna Tsymbaliuk (Ternopil Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital) spoke about “Cervical Lymphadenitis as a Manifestation of Cat Scratch Disease,” presenting a clinical case.
Associate Professor Tamara Vorontsova presented “Psychosomatic Disorders in Children: Modern Views on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.”
Associate Professor Mykhailo Protsailo discussed “Diagnostic Algorithms for Connective Tissue Dysplasia in Children.”
On June 18, an online workshop was held on “Ethical Issues (Empathy, Bioethics, Confidentiality) in Medical Practice.”
The following lectures were delivered:
Associate Professor Emiliia Burbela (Department of Pediatrics with Pediatric Surgery, TNMU) presented “Transcultural Education for Doctors: Building Bridges, Not Walls.”
Oksana Lutska, family physician, co-founder and board member of the Academy of Family Medicine of Ukraine, presented “Dignity in Medicine: A Person-Centered Healthcare System.”
Associate Professor Iryna Borovyk (Department of Therapy and Family Medicine, TNMU) spoke on “Empathy as a Tool for Clinical Effectiveness: Myths, Facts, and Benefits.”
Associate Professor Nataliia Haliiash (Department of Pediatrics No. 2, TNMU) gave a lecture “Empathy as a Professional Skill of a Pediatrician: Approaches to Breaking Bad News.”
The third session of the conference featured six oral and seven poster presentations.
At the conclusion of the conference and workshop, participants summarized the results, adopted a resolution, and expressed gratitude to the university administration, speakers, and all participants for their active involvement in the scientific forum.