The sex differences on neonatal mortality, estimated considering race and birth weight, have been known since the last century and they are negatively associated with gestational age. Notably, the male babies have major mortality and the worst postna­tal outcomes presenting a higher incidence of prematurity and congenital diseases.

Mothers of male babies have a higher rate of gestational diabetes mellitus, fetal macrosomia, and caesarean delivery and preterm births with a higher overall mortality rate.

Interestingly, prenatal drug exposure seems to affect differently male and female fetuses. For example, following maternal betamethasone for positive effects on survival in preterm neonates seems to be beneficial effect only male but this is not univocal datum. Vice versa, postnatal steroids seem to improve pulmonary outcomes more in females than in males. Additionally, maternal drug assumption can modify the infant microbiota. In particular, anti-asthmatic therapy lowered Lactobacilli in male while Bacteroidacæ are elevated in female. Post-hoc analysis on the use of indomethacin in preterm neonates to prevent IVH suggest a beneficial only in male neonates. Neonatal administration of caffeine produces sex dimorphic alteration in blood metaboloma. Neonatal abstinence syndrome due to prenatal opioid exposure has a higher frequency and severity in the male population, conversely female infants have more benzodiazepine deficiency symp­toms.

Interestingly, growing evidence shows that boys and girls respond differently to maternal nutrition, and maternal breastmilk composition differs based on fetal sex Additionally, maternal drug assumption can modify the infant microbiota. In particular, anti-asthmatic therapy lowered Lactobacilli in male while Bacteroidacæ were elevated in females.

Relevantly sex and gender differences are also observed in prenatal e neonatal programming, a concept, which highlights as certain events that occur during pregnancy and neonatal life may cause permanent effects that may change health trajectories across the lifespan. Some authors suggest that male embryos and fetuses are more sensible versus specific programming influences than female offspring. The early environmental life experience in utero and in the neonatal life is a major factor in shaping later life disease risk-including susceptibility to develop obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological and psychiatric diseases.

This Collection aims to improve the knowledge and underline the importance of sex-gender impact at the beginning of life. Eligible articles may include review, epidemiological, basic, clinical, and/or translational research articles. Topics include, but are not limited to, fetal and neonatal health, fetal and neonatal programming, genetics and epigenetics, nutrition, environmental factors, pregnancy-related diseases (e.g., pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes), mechanisms, biomarkers, metabolomics and proteomics, therapies and drug abuse.

All submissions in this Collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.

BMC Oral Health is pleased to announce our upcoming Collection on Systemic disease and oral health. The interrelationship between systemic diseases and oral health has garnered increasing attention in recent years. Research has shown that conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illnesses can significantly impact oral health, while poor oral health can exacerbate systemic diseases. This Collection aims to explore the multifaceted connections between systemic health and oral conditions, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to healthcare that recognizes the bidirectional nature of these relationships. We invite researchers to contribute studies that investigate the mechanisms underlying these connections and their implications for clinical practice.

Continued exploration in this field could yield significant advancements in personalized healthcare approaches, leading to more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Building on the contributions from our previous Collection, Oral and systemic health, we aim to enhance our understanding of how systemic diseases influence oral health. We may also uncover new strategies for early diagnosis and interventions tailored to individual patient profiles.

We invite submissions on a range of topics that include but are not limited to:

- The impact of diabetes on oral health

- Cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease connections

- Respiratory disease and oral health implications

- Oral health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

- The role of oral health in cancer treatment outcomes

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.