The Paediatric Research Unit formally began its work in 1978, with a focus on the regionalisation of perinatal care in rural areas. Since then, it has conducted several pioneering research studies that have been acclaimed the world over, including Long Term Development in High-risk Neonates, Early Origins of Adult Disease such as Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease, Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Newborn Babies, Pune Maternal Nutrition Studies, and many vaccine projects. Work on Indian Childhood Cirrhosis led to the eradication of a fatal liver disorder in young children.
Equipped to conduct global trials in all phases, the Unit’s strength lies in accepting applied problem-oriented, clinical cum laboratory research, multi-centric studies, and field operations research. Collaborations with prestigious institutions, such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Ford Foundation, Population Council, Medical Research Council (UK), Wellcome Trust, and FUNEN – USA, have helped the Unit to make significant technical advancements.
Recognised by the Indian Government’s Department of Biotechnology as a Core Vaccine Research Unit (CVRU), the Paediatric Unit also collaborated with an Extramural Unit of THSTI, Department of Biotechnology, to enhance KEMHRC’s capacity to conduct hospital-based human clinical trials of vaccines for COVID-19. The Unit has also been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA).