Pediatric neurological disorders, including rare conditions (e.g., Rett syndrome, Leigh syndrome) and perinatal brain injuries (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage), pose severe threats to children's neurodevelopment and long-term quality of life. Neuroprotection, as a core strategy to mitigate brain damage and promote functional recovery, has gained increasing attention in recent years—but gaps remain in translational research and clinical application for pediatric populations. This special issue aims to bridge these gaps by compiling cutting-edge studies on neuroprotective therapy in pediatric neurological disorders. It will cover three key areas: 1) Mechanistic research on neuroprotection in rare pediatric brain diseases, exploring novel molecular targets, 2) Clinical and preclinical studies on perinatal brain injury intervention, such as stem cell therapy and neuroprotective drug trials, 3) Challenges and solutions in translating preclinical neuroprotective findings to pediatric clinical practice. By bringing together contributions from basic scientists, clinicians, and translational researchers, this special issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the field, offer evidence-based insights for clinical decision-making, and guide future research directions to improve outcomes for children with neurological disorders.

Keywords: Pediatric neurological disorders, neuroprotection, rare pediatric brain diseases, perinatal brain injury, translational research, neuroprotective mechanisms, pediatric neurotherapy, brain damage intervention