Question: What are clinical trials and what role do children play in research?
Answer: Clinical trials are research studies involving people of all ages. Clinical trials look at safe and effective new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving quality of life. Research involving children helps scientists

identify care that is best for a child
find the best dose of medicines
find treatments for conditions that only affect children
treat conditions that behave differently in children
understand how treatment affects a growing child’s body

Find out more about clinical trials and children.

Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials.
Question: What clinical trials are open?
Answer: Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at ClinicalTrials.gov.