[A complete clinical trial register is already a reality in the paediatric field]

Area of Science:

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Pediatric Research
• Health Informatics

Context:

• Evidence-based drug use in children is hindered by the difficulty in identifying and accessing pediatric clinical trial data.
• Prematurely terminated or negative trial results often remain unpublished, leading to research inefficiencies and potential safety concerns.
• The European Community initiated the development of a European register for pediatric clinical trials in 2002.

Purpose:

• To establish a population-oriented clinical trial register specifically for children.
• To address the challenges of identifying, implementing, and disseminating pediatric clinical trial knowledge.
• To create a centralized resource for pediatric clinical trial information.

Summary:

• The DEC-net project, coordinated by the Mario Negri Institute, established a unique, population-oriented European register of clinical trials in children.
• This register involves researchers from France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
• It serves as a crucial tool for planning studies, fostering collaboration, and improving patient access to trials.

Impact:

• Facilitates the planning and execution of new pediatric clinical studies.
• Promotes communication and collaboration among researchers in pediatric drug development.
• Enhances patient access and recruitment for pediatric clinical trials, preventing duplication and optimizing funding.
• Identifies neglected therapeutic needs in children and enables active monitoring of drug therapy knowledge.