Paediatric research in the times of COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health Research
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Global Health Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant challenges to pediatric health research, affecting trial participation and funding.
• Disruptions caused by the pandemic necessitate adaptive strategies for ongoing and future research endeavors.
• Economic downturns may further impact the financial resources available for crucial child health studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's health research.
• To emphasize the importance of collaborative, networked, and technologically advanced research methods.
• To provide recommendations for optimizing research governance, data sharing, and trial design for pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of pandemic-related impacts on pediatric research activities.
• Analysis of collaborative research models and remote technologies in clinical trials.
• Synthesis of expert recommendations for research governance and trial development.

Main Results:

• Streamlined research processes and remote technologies have been vital in mitigating COVID-19's impact.
• Collaborative and networked research efforts have proven essential for reducing morbidity and mortality.
• The pandemic highlights the need for efficient research governance and data sharing.

Conclusions:

• Maintaining efficient research governance and data sharing is critical for high-quality collaborative research.
• Early inclusion of children in relevant therapeutic trials is imperative.
• Paediatric Research Societies must coordinate multinational trials for diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventative strategies.