Center for Childhood Infection and Sepsis
Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death in children worldwide, as emerging and re-emerging pathogens pose new threats. In St. Louis and other metropolitan areas, children battle a wide range of infections that can have immediate and long-term effects on their education, social development, and well-being.
At children’s hospitals across the country, we fight common infections, like pneumonia, as well as dangerous ones, like sepsis. The medical community is outpaced by increasingly drug-resistant bacteria.
The standard approach to infection management—to react when an issue emerges—is proving to be ineffective and prone to vulnerabilities. The Center for Childhood Infection and Sepsis will advance research on pediatric infectious disease and propel improvements in children’s health outcomes.
Our Approach
The Center for Childhood Infection and Sepsis will lead the charge against life-threatening infections and drug-resistant bacteria. Together, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and WashU Medicine will develop a deeper understanding of pathogen-host interactions, faster routes to diagnosis and treatments, and greater access to wraparound clinical care.
This revolutionary approach will help us detect emerging infections early and develop new therapies based on molecular and genetic data. Cutting-edge research bolstered by the biotechnology industry will widen the pipeline of effective treatments.
We will build on successful clinical trials of vaccines and preventive measures. By partnering with local schools and public health departments, we will empower families to protect their children’s health and well-being.
The path forward
Your support of the Center for Childhood Infection and Sepsis will accelerate and propel important research and give families the most effective tools possible to diagnose, treat, and prevent infectious diseases in children.