Connecting 20 Countries Inaugural PICU-CONNECT Meeting
PICU-CONNECT held their inaugural in-person meeting in
Alicante, Spain in June 2025.
Connecting 20 Countries Our Mission
Driving Global Collaboration in Paediatric Critical Care Research
Paediatric critical care (PCC) provides specialised treatment for critically ill children from newborns to young adults who require advanced monitoring and life-saving interventions. Despite the growing global burden of critical illness in children, research and evidence remain limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. PICU-CONNECT was established to bridge this gap by uniting international research networks to improve outcomes for critically ill children worldwide.
Read white paper
Connecting 20 Countries OpenPediatrics Podcast
Building Global Pediatric Research Networks — PICU-CONNECT members Luregn Schlapbach and Padmanabhan Ramnarayan were featured on the OpenPediatrics podcast to discuss our article “Building Global Collaborative Research Networks in Paediatric Critical Care: A Roadmap,” published in Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.
Listen Now
Connecting 20 Countries Publication Alert
Building Global Collaborative Research Networks in Paediatric Critical Care: A Roadmap
Our white paper outlines an action plan for international research collaboration in paediatric critical care. Topics include trial prioritisation and planning, education and trial conduct, standardisation of data collection and core outcomes, patient and public involvement and engagement, paediatric funding advocacy, and novel platform trial designs, coupled with a nested implementation program.
Read white paper
Welcome to PICU-CONNECT!
We are a multidisciplinary international network of paediatric critical care (PCC) research networks with representatives from nine PCC research networks across six continents and 20 countries.
Advancing Global Paediatric Critical Care Through Research & Collaboration
Paediatric critical care (PCC) involves the care of severely ill children, ranging from newborns to young adults, who require enhanced monitoring and specialised technologies to treat life-threatening illnesses and injuries, and to aid recovery from major interventions. Critical illness in children can lead to death, sequelae, morbidity, declines in health-related quality of life, and long-term disability, with high associated societal costs.
However, the significant global burden of paediatric critical illness contrasts with the paucity of evidence generated through research for interventions, practices, and policies. This gap is widening as the number of paediatric intensive care facilities expands globally, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, without a matching increase in research outputs. PICU-CONNECT was created to address this critical gap. PICU-CONNECT is a multi-disciplinary international network of paediatric critical care research networks that seeks to improve the care and outcomes of critically ill children worldwide through high-quality research, trials, and partnerships.
Global Research Network
Connecting paediatric critical care research networks across continents to generate high-quality evidence.
Improving Child Outcomes
Advancing trials, partnerships, and evidence-based care to improve survival and long-term health.
Our Vision is to improve the care and outcomes of critically ill children worldwide through high-quality research, trials, and partnerships.
Driving Global Collaboration
in Paediatric Critical Care Research
Paediatric critical care (PCC) provides specialised treatment for critically ill children from newborns to young adults who require advanced monitoring and life-saving interventions. Despite the growing global burden of critical illness in children, research and evidence remain limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. PICU-CONNECT was established to bridge this gap by uniting international research networks to improve outcomes for critically ill children worldwide.
Enable Large-Scale Research
Support high-quality international clinical research with global relevance and impact.
Connect Research Networks Globally
Connecting paediatric critical care research networks across continents to generate high-quality evidence.
Facilitate International Studies
Support the design, harmonisation, and delivery of observational and interventional trials.
Grow Global Research Capacity
Support the creation of investigator-led networks in underserved regions.
Advocate for Research Priorities
Engage funders and stakeholders to strengthen global PCC research support.
Improve Care and Outcomes
Promote research into prevention, causes, and management of critical illness.
Translate Research into Practice
Increase the adoption of evidence through implementation and knowledge translation.
A Global Roadmap for Paediatric Critical Care Research
A comprehensive roadmap to develop interconnected research networks and advance high-quality paediatric critical care studies globally.
Create a Network of Networks
Establish an international paediatric critical care research network (a network of networks).
Ensure Broad Representation
Include representatives from all major regional and national research networks.
Foster Regular Collaboration
Hold regular meetings and interactions with regional networks to plan joint research studies.
Prioritise Research Questions
Identify and agree on the most important research priorities for paediatric critical care globally.
Develop a Shared Research Agenda
Co-develop an agenda that reflects the needs of both high- and low-income settings.
Engage Patient Advocates
Involve patients, families, and advocates in the prioritisation process.
Standardise Data Collection
Develop and adopt common data elements across international studies.
Define Core Outcome Sets
Agree on core outcomes to be measured in all paediatric critical care trials.
Enable Data Sharing
Create frameworks for sharing individual patient-level data across networks.
Support Trial Design
Provide expertise and infrastructure for designing rigorous international trials.
Harmonise Trial Conduct
Align processes for ethics approval, consent models, and site monitoring globally.
Leverage Platform Designs
Promote adaptive and platform trial designs to improve efficiency.
Develop Research Capacity
Build research skills and infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries.
Provide Training Programs
Offer education and mentorship for early-career researchers in paediatric critical care.
Create Fellowship Opportunities
Establish international research fellowships to build global expertise.
Advocate for Funding
Engage funders, governments, and international bodies to increase research investment.
Publish High-Impact Evidence
Disseminate results in leading journals to influence policy and practice.
Engage Policymakers
Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations.
Implement Evidence-Based Care
Promote adoption of findings through implementation science programs.
Monitor Impact
Evaluate the real-world impact of PICU-CONNECT research on child outcomes.
Translate Knowledge Globally
Increase the dissemination and uptake of evidence in underserved regions.
The next PICU-CONNECT 2026 in-person meeting
The next PICU-CONNECT 2026 in-person meeting will take place on Monday, September 28, 2026, in conjunction with the 13th World Congress of the World Federation of Paediatric Intensive & Critical Care Societies in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, please contact us.
Philanthropy
We actively seek partnerships with organisations and groups who share an interest in advancing paediatric critical care research. Our work is primarily supported through research grants, which will enable us to conduct high-impact studies that improve outcomes for critically ill children and to develop research infrastructure at a global level. If you are interested in collaborating with us or supporting our research, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
Participating Networks
