PediCAP
is a 5-year research project focused on antibiotic therapy of severe and very severe childhood community acquired pneumoniaThrough a collaboration between African and European partners it aims to provide data on optimal duration and oral step-down therapy for paediatric community acquired pneumonia.
Background
Community-acquired pneumonia is common and remains associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in lower and middle-income countries. In Africa very severe pneumonia has a mortality of 10-15% among children. Childhood pneumonia is also a leading cause of hospitalization.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are key to managing childhood pneumonia. WHO recommends injectable regimens, which cover a greater spectrum of bacterial pathogens but lead to longer hospital stays, high healthcare and societal costs, and to increased risks of nosocomial infections and acquisition of multidrug-resistant colonising bacteria. At present strong data to support a safe step-down to oral antibiotics, which would enable earlier discharge, are missing.
Capacity Building
PediCAP aims to establish an active community of practice between the research teams and collaborators which will ensure the skills are in place to deliver a high-quality trial and associated sub-studies. Furthermore, PediCAP’s long-term goal is to equip the participating teams in the South and the North with lasting capability to run, lead and design their own studies beyond this project. The Global Health Network (University of Oxford) will have a key role in achieving these goals by providing them with a variety of trainings and with tools to support their collaboration and professional development.