For the first time in its history, the International Congress of Specialties in Pediatrics, organized by Pequeno Príncipe since the early 2000s, included in its official program a module dedicated exclusively to scientific research. The Applied Basic Research Module was a highlight of Criança 2025, held from May 23 to 27 in Curitiba. Around 3,000 participants, including healthcare professionals and students, and more than 600 speakers from Brazil and abroad attended the event.

“The creation of a research module demonstrates that the Pequeno Príncipe Complex continues to invest in the integration of healthcare, education, and science. The search for innovative solutions to children’s health problems necessarily involves excellence in research, and this event reinforces that commitment,” stated Bonald Cavalcante de Figueiredo, scientific director of the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute (IPP, abbreviation in Portuguese).

For Carolina Cardoso de Mello Prando, director of Translational Medicine at IPP and physician at Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, the inclusion of research as a key part of the congress expands the possibilities for integration across different areas of child and adolescent health. “When conducting research at the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, our goal is to align the curiosity and innovation of science with healthcare. Being part of this program is therefore essential. It is important to discuss with clinical specialists the various possibilities that research can offer to improve patient care,” she said.

Carolina also emphasized that the research space was designed as a platform for cross-disciplinary dialogue, allowing interaction among different medical specialties, researchers, and students.

Cutting-edge topics in discussion and international cooperation

In its fifth edition, Criança 2025 offered a series of roundtables, panels, and lectures focused on research, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric diseases. Discussions covered topics such as cancer, immunology, genetics, precision medicine, neurodevelopmental disorders, advanced therapies, bioethics, and public policies.

Click here to explore the discussions in more depth. Content available only in Portuguese.