PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Sepsis in children is a leading cause of death and morbidity, yet little is known about its impact on physical function after hospital discharge. Building upon the candidate’s prior biobehavioral research and accomplishments within the K99 phase, this R00 application will utilize translational approaches to explore the potential role of pro-inflammatory mediators as they pertain to physical function in critically ill children who survive sepsis and/or pneumonia in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This proposed application aligns well with the priorities of the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, “to support sepsis research that uses new and emerging approaches.” The overall purpose of this R00 transition application, Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (PAR-19-343), is to prepare the candidate for an independent career as a nurse scientist with a robust program of research in pediatric critical care and symptom science. In the independent phase (R00) of the study entitled, PEdiatric Recovery after sepSIS Treatment in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PERSIST-PICU), the candidate will conduct a prospective longitudinal cohort study to refine the initial PERSIST-PICU multivariable model created throughout the K99 phase with new prospectively collected inflammatory biomarkers and measures of functional status. Identification of critically ill children with sepsis and/or pneumonia who are at-risk for physical dysfunction after discharge will provide an opportunity for early intervention to optimize their physical function after critical illness. The candidate’s stellar collaborative interdisciplinary team, tailored research plan and activities planned within this R00 application will prepare her well for transition to independence as a nurse scientist in pediatric critical care and symptom science.

NARRATIVE Child survivors of severe infection may experience long-term physical problems. This R00 application will comprehensively describe a cohort of critically children who survive sepsis and test the hypothesis that inflammation is associated with physical dysfunction after discharge from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We will refine PEdiatric Recovery after sepSIS Treatment in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PERSIST-PICU), a model predicting a child’s risk for physical dysfunction so future research can optimize physical function in critically ill children who need it most.