The Burlo Garofolo Children's Institute in Trieste incorporates an Institute for Scientific Research and Treatment (IRCCS) with a national health service hospital.

The hospital conducts scientific and biomedical research in maternal and infant health. IRCCS is the only specialized hospital for mother and child care in the city and region, as well as a focal point for a large number of medical services.

The institute combines biomedical research in paediatrics and obstetrics with advanced medical care practices.

Experimental and clinical biomedical research is divided into: physiopathology of the female reproductive system; pre- and post-birth infant medicine; chronic and tumoral illness arising in paediatric age; surgical and rehabilitative paediatric sciences; rationalization and humanization of health care for women and children; epidemiology, prevention and care quality assessment; and paediatric neurosciences.