Clinical Trials & Studies

Your child's safety is our top priority. We work closely with government agencies to maintain the highest standards in research involving human subjects. Your involvement in research is entirely voluntary and you can stop at any time, even if the trial isn't finished.

To ensure safety, our Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) carefully reviews, approves, and monitors all research at Nemours.

The IRB ensures that each trial is conducted ethically, and the rights and well-being of participants are safeguarded. At Nemours, our IRBs are involved at every step of each trial.

Clinical trials and studies have rules about who can join. These rules, called eligibility criteria, help keep participants safe and make sure the study collects useful information. 

Criteria can include factors such as age, gender, medical history, the type and stage of a disease or condition, and more. 

Some trials are designed for children or adults with a certain medical condition, while others may be open to healthy volunteers.

The length of a clinical trial can vary based on the type of trial, the medical condition we’re studying, study objectives, recruitment, and enrollment process and regulatory approvals. 

For example, a phase 1 clinical trial, which focuses on assessing the safety and dosage of a new treatment, may only last a few months. Whereas a phase 2 trial, which involves a larger group and treatment effectiveness, can last several months to two years. A phase 3 trial can last several years to confirm treatment effectiveness and monitor side effects. 

Clinical trials for chronic conditions make take longer to monitor its long-term effects, and more complex studies may also need longer follow-up periods. 

When involved in a clinical trial, participants usually continue to see their regular health care providers. 

Our researchers may work with your child’s physicians to make sure the trial doesn’t conflict with other treatments.