PENTA: Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS
PENTA is an integrated programme of clinical
trials and observational studies among HIV-infected pregnant women
and children.
The PENTA trials network consists of more than
80 clinical centres and research laboratories in 17 countries (14
in Europe; 2 in South America, one in Asia). To date, over 1,500
children have been enrolled in 15 large PENTA trials.
Cross-cohort and multi-centre collaboration is
vital and has been highly successful in Europe, where a large
number of clinical centres care for HIV-infected pregnant women and
children.
The European Pregnancy and Paediatric HIV
Cohort Collaboration (EPPICC) conducts epidemiological research on
the prognosis and outcome of HIV-infected pregnant women and
children, and children exposed to HIV in utero, across Europe.
EPPICC currently consists of 13 studies, including the European
Collaborative Study. As the number of children infected with HIV in
Europe is relatively small, one network running paediatric trials
and cohorts is essential to efficiently answer research questions
in this population.
The aims of the network are to: use
observational studies to evaluate management strategies for
HIV-infected pregnant women, focusing on prevention, diagnosis,
interventions, and outcomes (mother-to-child transmission rates)
across Europe; conduct treatment strategy trials and linked
national cohort studies to address key clinical questions relating
to the management, treatment, and long-term outcomes of vertically
HIV-infected children and young people in Europe. These aims
together address contemporary HIV-related questions in pregnancy,
mother-to-child transmission, and vertically-acquired HIV infection
that are central to clinical practice and improving public
health.
For more information, visit
the PENTA website