BACKGROUND Pediatric community acquired pneumonia (pedCAP) is one of the leading causes for childhood morbidity accounting for up to 20% of pediatric hospital admissions in high income countries. In spite of its high morbidity, updated epidemiological and pathogen data after introduction of preventive vaccination and novel pathogen screening strategies are limited. Moreover, there is a need for validated recommendations on diagnostic and treatment regimens in pedCAP. Through collection of patient data and analysis of pathogen and host factors in a large sample of unselected pedCAP patients in Germany, we aim to address and substantially improve this situation. METHODS pedCAPNETZ is an observational, multi-center study on pedCAP. Thus far, nine study centers in hospitals, outpatient clinics and practices have been initiated and more than 400 patients with radiologically confirmed pneumonia have been enrolled, aiming at a total of 1000 study participants. Employing an online data base, information on disease course, treatment as well as demographical and socioeconomical data is recorded. Patients are followed up until day 90 after enrollment; Comprehensive biosample collection and a central pedCAPNETZ biobank allow for in-depth analyses of pathogen and host factors. Standardized workflows to assure sample logistics and data management in more than fifteen future study centers have been established. DISCUSSION Through comprehensive epidemiological, clinical and biological analyses, pedCAPNETZ fills an important gap in pediatric and infection research. To secure dissemination of the registry, we will raise clinical and scientific awareness at all levels. We aim at participating in decision making processes for guidelines and prevention strategies. Ultimately, we hope the results of the pedCAPNETZ registry will help to improve care and quality of life in pedCAP patients in the future.

中文翻译：

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PedCAPNETZ-对儿童和青少年社区获得性肺炎的前瞻性观察研究。

背景技术小儿社区获得性肺炎（pedCAP）是儿童发病率的主要原因之一，占高收入国家儿童住院率的20％。尽管其发病率很高，但是在引入预防性疫苗接种和新颖的病原体筛选策略后，流行病学和病原体数据的更新是有限的。此外，需要关于pedCAP诊断和治疗方案的经过验证的建议。通过收集患者数据并分析德国大量未选择的pedCAP患者样本中的病原体和宿主因素，我们旨在解决并大幅改善这种情况。方法pedCAPNETZ是对pedCAP的观察性，多中心研究。到目前为止，医院有9个学习中心，已经启动了门诊诊所和实践，并招募了400多名经放射学确诊的肺炎患者，目标是总共1000名研究参与者。利用在线数据库，记录有关疾病进程，治疗以及人口统计和社会经济数据的信息。对患者进行随访，直到入组后第90天为止。全面的生物样品收集和中央pedCAPNETZ生物库可对病原体和宿主因素进行深入分析。建立了标准化的工作流程，以确保在15个以上的未来研究中心中进行样品后勤和数据管理。讨论通过全面的流行病学，临床和生物学分析，pedCAPNETZ填补了儿科和感染​​研究的重要空白。为了确保注册表的传播，我们将在各个层面上提高临床和科学意识。我们旨在参与指导方针和预防策略的决策过程。最终，我们希望pedCAPNETZ注册中心的结果将有助于将来改善pedCAP患者的护理和生活质量。