HEALTH STATUS OF CHILDREN AGED 0–3 YEARS IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR IN UKRAINE (2024–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-2005/2026-2.22Keywords:
children 0–3 years, child health, war in Ukraine, morbidity, vaccination, hospitalization, respiratory infections, pediatric care, psycho-emotional stress, telemedicineAbstract
The article presents a comprehensive analytical review of the health status of young children (aged 0–3 years) in Ukraine under the conditions of the full-scale war during 2024–2025. The relevance of the study is обусловлена the high vulnerability of this age group, which is in a critical period of physical, cognitive, and immunological development, as well as the significant impact of war-related factors on the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. The aim of the study is to summarize current medical and statistical indicators and to identify key trends in changes in morbidity, vaccination coverage, and hospitalization rates among young children. The methodological basis of the research was the analysis of open statistical data from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as well as analytical reports of international organizations for 2024–2025, using a comparative approach to assess pre-war and wartime indicators. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to systematize both quantitative and qualitative characteristics of child health, taking into account regional disparities in access to healthcare services. The results demonstrate a significant transformation in the structure of morbidity, characterized by an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory infections, fluctuations in vaccination coverage, and a rise in psycho-emotional disorders. It was established that deteriorating living conditions, forced displacement of the population, and limited access to healthcare services act as key determinants of negative changes in children’s health. At the same time, the implementation of mobile medical teams and the development of telemedicine contributed to the partial stabilization of certain indicators, indicating the adaptive capacity of the healthcare system. The study substantiates that current challenges are multifactorial in nature and require a comprehensive, intersectoral approach that integrates medical, social, and psychological interventions. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to maintain high vaccination coverage, expand psychosocial support programs, and ensure continuity of medical care, especially for children from internally displaced families. Thus, the findings of the study can serve as an analytical foundation for the development of effective public health policies aimed at protecting and improving the health of young children under conditions of prolonged wartime impact
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