ESPID
May 26, 2025 - May 30, 2025
ESPID Annual Meeting: A Global Platform for Advancing Paediatric Infectious Disease Research
Every year, the Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) serves as a dynamic meeting point for researchers, clinicians, and public health experts dedicated to improving the lives of children affected by infectious diseases. In 2025, the conference returns with a hybrid format — hosted in Bucharest and Online — ensuring wider accessibility and global participation.
This gathering brings together the brightest minds from around the world, fostering the exchange of scientific insights, clinical practices, and the latest findings in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in children. It is more than a conference; it's a catalyst for real-world progress in pediatric healthcare.
Focusing on Paediatric Infectious Diseases in a Global Context
The ESPID Annual Meeting aims to tackle the most pressing issues facing pediatric infectious disease specialists today. The conference recognizes that children remain among the most vulnerable to infectious diseases — from routine viral infections to emerging threats and antimicrobial resistance.
Key topics of this year's ESPID meeting include:
Vaccine strategies and innovation in immunization
Neonatal and infant infection management
Global approaches to antimicrobial stewardship
Post-COVID pediatric epidemiology and research
New viral and bacterial pathogens in pediatric populations
These topics underscore ESPID’s commitment to advancing science that can directly impact children's health outcomes, not just in Europe, but across all continents.
The Power of Collaboration: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice
One of the key values of the ESPID Annual Meeting in Bucharest and Online is its ability to bring together different sectors of the pediatric infectious disease community. It bridges gaps between:
Academic researchers and hospital clinicians
Public health experts and microbiologists
Vaccine developers and epidemiologists
NGOs and government stakeholders
By facilitating collaboration, the event promotes integrated approaches that consider both scientific innovation and the realities of clinical practice.
This collaboration is essential for:
Translating laboratory findings into effective treatment protocols
Identifying regional differences in infection patterns
Implementing global solutions adapted to local needs
Strengthening early detection and rapid response systems
A Diverse and Impactful Scientific Program
The scientific program of ESPID is carefully curated to address a wide spectrum of pediatric infectious disease challenges. Through keynote lectures, symposia, abstract sessions, and roundtable discussions, the conference highlights the best in current research while encouraging critical dialogue on unresolved questions.
Scientific sessions at ESPID 2025 will cover:
Paediatric tuberculosis: diagnostics and treatment dilemmas
Pediatric sepsis: early intervention strategies
New developments in RSV and influenza vaccines
Diagnostic use of AI and digital tools in pediatric infections
Long COVID in children: evidence, impact, and interventions
With presentations from both emerging scientists and world-renowned experts, the event is equally supportive of cutting-edge discovery and mentorship.
ESPID in a Hybrid Format: Greater Access, Broader Reach
A defining feature of the upcoming Annual ESPID Meeting is its hybrid model — allowing professionals to engage either in-person in Bucharest or from anywhere around the world. This inclusivity is a response to the growing need for flexible participation, especially for healthcare workers with demanding schedules or those based in regions with limited travel opportunities.
Benefits of the hybrid conference format:
Live-streamed sessions with interactive Q&A
On-demand access to recorded content
Virtual networking tools for researchers and clinicians
Poster presentations accessible online
Real-time language interpretation for selected sessions
This approach ensures that the mission of ESPID — improving pediatric infectious disease care globally — is more attainable and equitable than ever before.
Emphasizing Education and Early Career Support
In addition to its robust scientific agenda, the ESPID Annual Meeting places strong emphasis on education, training, and career development for early-career professionals. ESPID recognizes that the future of pediatric infectious diseases lies in empowering the next generation of specialists.
Opportunities for young researchers include:
Mentorship sessions with senior scientists
Oral abstract competitions
Networking lunches and meet-the-expert events
Dedicated workshops on study design and grant writing
This nurturing environment allows young professionals to grow in confidence, expand their networks, and stay updated on the evolving landscape of pediatric infection control.
Tackling Global Challenges in Child Health
The conference doesn’t shy away from the big questions. As new pathogens emerge, vaccine hesitancy grows, and climate change reshapes disease vectors, the ESPID Annual Meeting serves as a critical venue to debate solutions and policy directions.
Key challenges explored include:
The global burden of neglected tropical diseases in children
Preparing for the next pandemic: lessons from COVID-19
Addressing healthcare inequality in pediatric infection control
Ethical considerations in pediatric clinical trials
Through shared data and diverse perspectives, ESPID participants work toward building resilient, responsive healthcare systems tailored for pediatric needs.
Why ESPID Matters More Than Ever
The Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases is more than an academic event — it is a unifying force in global child health. By bringing together frontline clinicians, researchers, and policy leaders, ESPID fosters the kind of cross-sector dialogue and innovation needed to tackle today’s complex health challenges.
Whether attending in Bucharest or joining online, participants become part of a global movement striving to improve infectious disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for children everywhere.
