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Ethical Considerations for Clinical Investigations of Medical Products in Children (DRAFT)

This guidance outlines FDA's current thinking on ethical considerations for clinical investigations of medical products (drugs, biological products, and medical devices) in children. It focuses on protecting children as a vulnerable population who cannot consent for themselves and require additional safeguards when participating in clinical research.

This is a draft guidance. Not for implementation.

  1. Conduct thorough scientific necessity assessment before initiating pediatric studies
  2. Document comprehensive risk/benefit analysis for each study component
  3. Implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies, especially for procedures requiring sedation
  4. Establish clear processes for obtaining parental permission and child assent
  5. Design studies to maximize information while minimizing number of subjects
  6. Consider adaptive trial designs when additional dose finding is required
  7. Ensure studies are conducted at facilities with appropriate pediatric expertise
  8. Develop clear communication materials for subjects and parents regarding non-therapeutic procedures
  9. Consult with FDA early in development program regarding pediatric study plans
  10. Consider potential for 21 CFR 50.54 review if procedures exceed minor increase over minimal risk

Key Considerations

Clinical testing

  • Clinical investigations must be scientifically necessary to answer important questions relevant to children’s health
  • Studies should be well-designed to collect interpretable data
  • Early inclusion of children may be appropriate in some cases without prior adult data
  • Study duration should be sufficient to offer potential clinical benefit
  • Multiple sources of information can inform pediatric trial design

Non-clinical testing

  • Nonclinical studies in disease-specific animal models can support initial pediatric dosing
  • Juvenile animal studies may be needed to support pediatric age groups
  • Bench testing and modeling/simulation data can inform device trials

Safety

  • Risk assessment requires adequate safety data from clinical or non-clinical studies
  • Procedures solely for research must be minimal risk or minor increase over minimal risk
  • Sedation risks must be carefully evaluated and minimized
  • Risk mitigation strategies should be included in study protocols

Other considerations

  • 21 CFR 50: Protection of Human Subjects
  • 21 CFR 56: Institutional Review Boards
  • 45 CFR 46 Subpart D: Additional Protections for Children

Original guidance

  • Ethical Considerations for Clinical Investigations of Medical Products in Children
  • HTML / PDF
  • Issue date: 2022-09-26
  • Last changed date: 2024-04-12
  • Status: DRAFT
  • Official FDA topics: Medical Devices, Pediatric Product Development, Drugs, Biologics, Clinical - Medical
  • ReguVirta summary file ID: 4cde5fa9af749edc99481a9b8dd3c967
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