This article explores the historical development of measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as the challenges faced at each stage. Since the mid-1980s, MCT of HIV drew public attention. In 1991, the United States and France launched the first clinical trial focused on pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-PACTG 076, marking the beginning of clinical research on preventing MCT. The HIVNET 012 trial conducted in Uganda in 1997 further investigated the efficacy of single-dose nevirapine and zidovudine, which has a profound impact on the development of global strategies for preventing MCT of HIV. Without intervention, the MCT rate of HIV ranges from 15% to 45%. However, with the promotion of international intervention standards such as HIV screening during pregnancy and highly active antiretroviral therapy, the MCT rate in China has decreased to 3%, while in the United States and parts of Europe, the rate has fallen to below 1%. These advancements represent a significant achievement in the field of public health.

This article explores the historical development of measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as the challenges faced at each stage. Since the mid-1980s, MCT of HIV drew public attention. In 1991, the United States and France launched the first clinical trial focused on pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-PACTG 076, marking the beginning of clinical research on preventing MCT. The HIVNET 012 trial conducted in Uganda in 1997 further investigated the efficacy of single-dose nevirapine and zidovudine, which has a profound impact on the development of global strategies for preventing MCT of HIV. Without intervention, the MCT rate of HIV ranges from 15% to 45%. However, with the promotion of international intervention standards such as HIV screening during pregnancy and highly active antiretroviral therapy, the MCT rate in China has decreased to 3%, while in the United States and parts of Europe, the rate has fallen to below 1%. These advancements represent a significant achievement in the field of public health.

Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) has historically posed a severe threat to the lives of mothers and newborns. Since the 19th century, clean delivery practices and vaccination with tetanus toxoid have been effective means of preventing MNT. However, the process of global elimination of MNT remains slow, especially in areas with scarce medical resources. Most countries have adopted the strategy of vaccinating pregnant women to eliminate MNT. In contrast, China chose a more challenging strategy by increasing the hospital delivery rate and improving maternal and child health in rural areas, successfully eliminating MNT in 2012. Maintaining this achievement is not easy. In the future, nations should strengthen cooperation, share successful experiences, and collectively strive to eliminate MNT worldwide. This article reviews the medical cognitive process of MNT and introduces the progress of global MNT elimination program and the prevention and control strategies in China.

The history of cystic fibrosis (CF) can be traced back to the Middle Ages when a salty taste was recognized as an early symptom. In the 1930s, Dorothy Anderson gradually revealed the characteristics and mechanisms of CF through clinical and pathological studies. In 1953, the sweat test became an important tool for diagnosing CF. In 1989, scientists identified the CFTR genes and their association with CF, leading to significant advancement in genetic research and treatment of CF. By tracing the history and research progress of CF, we witness the transition from ancient legends to modern scientific exploration. This journey not only demonstrates the advancement of medical technology but also reflects the continuous deepening of human understanding of diseases, highlighting the immense potential of scientific research in improving human health.

This article reviews the evolution of neonatal cystic fibrosis (CF) screening in Europe and North America, with a focus on the development and clinical application of sweat testing and immunoreactive trypsinogen assays. It highlights the growing recognition of early screening benefits and associated challenges. In China, neonatal CF screening has not been widely implemented due to low disease incidence and atypical clinical presentations, which complicate early diagnosis. Advances in genetic testing technologies and research on CFTR gene variants specific to the Chinese population may drive future progress in screening and therapeutic strategies.

This study analyzes ethical and social challenges arising from advanced technologies, specifically tandem mass spectrometry and high-throughput sequencing in newborn screening. Key issues include disease selection criteria, false-negative/false-positive results, and genetic stigmatization. Framing newborn screening as acommon good for societal wellbeing, we advocate for a neonate-centered ethical framework. This necessitates enhanced dynamic ethical review and informed consent processes; establishment of a newborn screening program with integrated clinical interpretation support, adverse-outcome monitoring and compensation mechanisms; and strengthened legal safeguards for privacy and confidentiality. These integrated approaches are essential to minimize ethical risks.

In the 1950s, Ian Donald first introduced ultrasound scanning technology, initiating its application in obstetrics. By the 1960s, obstetric ultrasound was initially utilized for detecting fetal abnormalities. The emergence of real-time ultrasound scanning in the 1970s enabled dynamic and continuous observation of fetal status. In the 1980s, obstetric ultrasound technology was first applied to diagnose cleft lip and palate. However, as the technology advanced, an increasing number of parents of children diagnosed with cleft lip and palate have faced the dilemma of whether to opt for therapeutic abortion. Here we described the process of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of cleft lip and palate, and analyzed the subsequent issues of therapeutic abortion and ethics.

In 1961, the first documented case of a Caucasian male with 47,XYY karyotype was reported in the United States. During the 1960s, British geneticists postulated a potential association between XYY syndrome and criminal behavior, leading the media to label this karyotype the "criminal chromosome." Consequently, individuals with XYY syndrome faced stigmatization as "born criminals," a notion robustly refuted by contemporary research. With advancements in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), screening for XYY syndrome now presents emerging ethical dilemmas. While NIPT enables screening, societal perceptions of sex chromosome abnormalities influence screening acceptance and may lead to selective termination. The intersection of technological progress and ethical challenges necessitates a cautious approach from the scientific community and demands societal efforts to establish the balance between reproductive autonomy, rights protection, and stigma elimination.

Since the 1960s, under the leadership of pioneers including Erich Saling, perinatal medicine has gradually developed into a discipline with international influence. Early perinatal medicine activities mainly focused on academic research, personnel training, publication of works, conference organization, and establishment of professional societies. These early initiatives not only laid the foundation for perinatal medicine, but also provided experience and resources for subsequent international cooperation and research. In 2005, the International Academy of Perinatal Medicine was established, which not only fully acknowledged the long-term exploration and accumulation in the field of perinatal medicine, but also marked the entry of perinatal medicine into a new developmental stage. As a platform integrating research, reflection, communication, and dissemination, the International Academy of Perinatal Medicine has greatly promoted the deepening and expansion of research in the global perinatal medicine field, played a key role in practice, and made important contributions to improving the health status of pregnant women and newborns worldwide.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), historically termed "blue malady," is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect. Its anatomical features were first documented by a Danish physician in 1671, with the formal concept of "tetralogy" introduced by Fallot in 1888. In 1944, the collaborative efforts of Blalock, Taussig, and technician Vivien Thomas culminated in the first successful TOF surgery, inaugurating the era of surgical intervention for this condition. This surgical advance dramatically improved patient prognosis. This article traces the historical discovery, nomenclature, and therapeutic evolution of TOF, examining how deciphering the "blue baby mystery" catalyzed the transformation of cardiac surgery from early exploration into a paradigm of standardized intervention, reflecting the co-evolution of cognitive frameworks and technical systems in modern medicine's approach to complex congenital heart disease.