The Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network: another step in the development of the field

Developmental-behavioral pediatrics was formally recognized as a subspecialty of pediatrics in 1999 with one of the goals being to promote research in the field. However, research has generally been a small component of most developmental-behavioral pediatricians' activities. In an effort to expand research in the field, the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet) was funded through a cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Bureau. This funding supports the development of an infrastructure to support multisite research that aims to optimize the health and functional status of children with developmental and behavioral concerns and disorders. This article describes the need for a developmental-behavioral pediatrics research network, the development of the infrastructure for DBPNet, and the mechanisms for investigators to collaborate with the Network.