Children's health: insights from space medicine on metabolic health.

Overview

Biomedical research during spaceflight and simulation studies reveals significant changes in biochemical and cellular pathways relevant to understanding diseases on Earth. While adult health has been the historical focus of aerospace medicine, applications for children's health remain unexplored and are becoming more paramount as civilian access to space increases. We discuss biological and physiological changes in spaceflight that may be relevant to pediatric diseases. We also explore nutritional approaches for pediatric conditions, which may also benefit astronaut health.