The PENTA-ID Network brings together key stakeholders in paediatric infectious disease, including researchers, clinicians, regulatory bodies, the pharmaceutical industry and patients and their families, to plan and carry out high quality clinical research and training. The network began in 1991 as PENTA, the Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS, and focused on conducting clinical trials on antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children. It later integrated with the European Collaborative Study, one of the largest cohorts of children born to HIV-positive mothers.

In 2011 the network officially became PENTA-ID (Infectious Diseases), expanding and applying its expertise in HIV to other paediatric infectious diseases. The network now spans over 90 clinical sites in 18 countries, providing the access to paediatric patients necessary to perform clinical research, and leverages the expertise and experience in paediatric infectious disease of hundreds of participating researchers and physicians. In addition to coordinating and participating in trials and cohort studies, the network develops treatment guidelines and training programmes for health care professionals on various aspects of prevention and treatment of paediatric infectious disease, and contributes to European and global efforts to improve research infrastructure and harmonize and streamline research methods.