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Contribution of Walter Canon in Field of Pediatrics

Sonawane Dipti M, Kasumbiwal Ajay H, Lakhe Siddheshwar A, Pavani Kaithi R

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -I)):p 175-177, July-December 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.30

How Cite This Article:

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Pavani Kaithi R., et al. Contribution of Walter Canon in Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 175-177.

Timeline

Received : December 12, 2025         Accepted : December 21, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Walter Cannon, an influential American physiologist of the early 20th century, is widely recognized as a pioneer in understanding human stress and the concept of homeostasis. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern physiology, psychology, and stress research. Cannon was the first to describe the “fight-or-flight” response, explaining how the body reacts to threatening situations through rapid physiological changes driven by the sympathetic nervous system. He also refined and popularized the idea of homeostasis he body’s ability to maintain internal balance despite external changes highlighting its vital role in survival and health. Through his experiments and observations, Cannon demonstrated how hormones, particularly adrenaline, help the body cope with emergencies. His research connected emotional states, biological responses, and environmental pressures, offering a holistic understanding of stress. Today, Cannon’s contributions continue to influence medical science, behavioral studies, and stress-management fields, making him a central figure in human physiology. He also contributed to shock physiology and blood transfusion techniques. Key Message: Core Insights from Walter Cannon’s Work Walter Cannon revealed how the body maintains internal stability through homeostasis. His discovery of the fight-or-flight response shows how humans quickly react to stress, ensuring survival during danger. His research forms the base of modern stress physiology.

References

  • 1.   Cannon, W.B. (1915). Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear and rage. D. Appleton & Company..
  • 2.   Cannon, W.B. (1929). Organization for physiological homeostasis. Physiological Reviews, 9(3), 399–431.
  • 3.   Bernard, C. (1974). Lectures on the phenomenon of life: From the perspective of the scientific viewpoint. Charles C Thomas. (Foundational work Cannon built upon)
  • 4.   Goldstein, D.S. (2003). Catecholamines and stress. Endocrine Regulations, 37(2), 69–80.
  • 5.   Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. McGraw-Hill. (Expands on stress concepts initiated by Cannon)
  • 6.   Gross, C.G. (1998). Claude Bernard and the constancy of the internal environment. Neuroscientist, 4(5), 380–385.
  • 7.   Day, T.A. (2005). Defining stress as a prelude to mapping its neurocircuitry: No help from allostasis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 29(8), 1195–1200

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

he authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Pavani Kaithi R., et al. Contribution of Walter Canon in Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 175-177.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
December 12, 2025 December 21, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.30

Keywords

Fight-or-flighSympathetic nervous systemAdrenaline

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Timeline

Received December 12, 2025
Accepted December 21, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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