Research Center

Research Studies for Children and Teenagers

Childhood is often thought to be the best part of life. It is a time to have fun, make mistakes and discover the world around you. These early years of life are especially unique. Infants, children and teenagers are very different from adults: from how their bodies work to how they think. From birth, to adulthood, medical care needs to be tailored every step of the way. Researchers learn how to do this through studies with children from different age groups. It is important that all people taking part in studies are protected, and it is especially important for children and teenagers. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) that approves and oversees every study has special rules for studies involving children, and makes sure that they are safe as they help doctors learn more about caring for their medical needs.

To find research studies that matter most to you and your loved ones see the information below.

Finding a Study

Whether you're looking for studies on ClinicalTrials.gov or helping researcher find you on ResearchMatch, always keep the following in mind:

1. Your health status - both healthy volunteers and those with medical conditions are needed in the research effort.

2. Your location - finding studies close to home is often a requirement to be able to take part.

3. More information about you - studies are done using groups based on their gender, ethnic group, and age, among other things. What makes you unique is what's needed the most.

Helping Researchers Find you on ResearchMatch

Why ResearchMatch? Fact: Recent surveys show that few Americans (less than 5%) know where to find out about research studies that are a good fit for them. Fact: Research volunteers are medical heroes. Why? Because behind every medical breakthrough and new treatment are thousands of people who take part in research studies.

ResearchMatch is one way to help match medical heroes with research studies. How? Think of posting your resume on line. Like a resume helps employers look for people to fill a role in their company; ResearchMatch is your research resume with details about you. This allows researchers to look for volunteers who may be good fit for their study.

The NetWellness feature ResearchMatch and You - Making a Difference One Discovery at a Time gives a step by step guide about how ResearchMatch works and what you can do to take part in research. Once you put the details of your profile in ResearchMatch, it is kept secure. These details will only be shared when you agree to take part in a study.

Finding Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov

Many people want to take part in research studies. Finding a study that is (a good) (the right) fit for you or your loved one can be a challenge/hard. ClinicalTrials.gov exists helps speed up the search by having a list of studies offered/listed in the United States.

The search tool on ClinicalTrials.gov allows you to look for research studies that are as unique as you. This allows you to search by your gender, race, ethnicity, age, and condition. In any search that you do on ClinicalTrials.gov, it's important that you include your city and state in your search so that you can find trials that are happening close to home. The NetWellness feature How to Find a Clinical Research Study/Clinical Trial helps guide you to get the best results for your search.

Other Resources

Children's Assent to Clinical Trial Participation (National Cancer Institute)
Clinical Research Resources For Families (Nationwide Children's Hospital)
No More Hand-Me-Down Research (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Should Your Child Be in a Clinical Trial? (FDA.gov)
Your Child Can Help Find Cures at the NIH Clinical Center (NIH)

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This article is a NetWellness exclusive.

Last Reviewed: May 16, 2011

Susan Wentz, MD, MS
Director, Area Health Education Center
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University