A S U

The Faculty of Graduate Studies for Childhood at Ain Shams University organized its annual scientific conference entitled “Interaction of Nature and Disorders in Children.” Held on October 10 each year in celebration of World Mental Health Day, the conference was conducted in collaboration with the Child Development and Behavior Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, the medical, psychological, and media departments of The Faculty of Graduate Studies for Childhood, and the Egyptian Society for Childhood Mental Disorders.

The conference took place under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs; Prof. Amany Osama, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Howaida El-Gebaly, Professor of Pediatrics and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for Childhood.

In her address during the closing day of the conference, Prof. Howaida El-Gebaly emphasized the vital role of the environment in the psychological and physical development of children, stressing the importance of community efforts in supporting children with special needs. She highlighted that both biological and environmental factors together form the foundation for a child’s health and quality of life.

Prof. Eman Ahmed Zaki, Chair of the Conference, explained that this year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “Mental Health and Humanitarian Disasters.” She noted that the conference focused on the interaction between environmental and biological factors in various disorders and diseases in children, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach in understanding these influences.

At the conclusion of the conference, Prof. Howaida El-Gebaly honored the speakers and participants in recognition of their scientific contributions and efforts in making the event a success. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Gamali Sami, Professor of Pediatrics, former Governor of Fayoum, and former President of October 6 University; Prof. Eman Zaki, Professor of Pediatrics and Child Development at the Faculty of Medicine and Chair of the Conference; Prof. Ahmed El-Kahky, Director of the Center for Special Needs at Ain Shams University; Prof. Ehab Khairy, Head of the Pediatrics Department at the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Galela Mokhtar, Professor of Pediatrics; and Prof. Hoda Tumom, Head of the Pediatric Neurology Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

The conference spanned three days, discussing the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in various pediatric conditions such as behavioral disorders, cancer, autoimmune diseases, liver and diabetes disorders, nutritional deficiencies, rheumatic fever, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and critical cases in pediatric intensive care units, with participation from leading specialists across all pediatric fields.

The first day, on October 8, 2025, featured a workshop on learning difficulties, addressing their types, diagnosis, and management, noting that between 10% and 20% of children experience such challenges. The second day included online conference sessions on Friday, October 10, while the event concluded on October 12, 2025, with a wide attendance of faculty members, researchers, and childhood specialists.