Clinical Research
Identifying New Approaches for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Diseases
Participating in Research to Help Kids Everywhere
Learn more about our clinical research
Clinical Research
Today, it is increasingly recognized that children have the right to research that meets their unique needs. Children are not little adults and often don't respond to medical care in the same way adults do. Some illnesses and conditions are only seen in infants and children. Research needs to include children to ensure they have the best available treatment, now and in the future.
Involving children in research also helps doctors know how best to care for children. Clinical researchers at Nationwide Children's are committed to identifying new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases, taking research discoveries from the lab to the patient's bedside.
For a complete listing of all clinical research studies at Nationwide Children's that are currently recruiting participants please choose from the topics in the links below.
Clinical Research Resources For Families
Nationwide Children’s is an international leader in pediatric research. Our scientists are transforming health in major ways. Currently, Nationwide Children’s is actively involved in more than 1000 clinical research projects. These projects range from small studies that are designed to simply collect information about a disease, to those that investigate the potential new treatments or procedures that are at the forefront of clinical innovation and discovery. Because when searching for a cure, everything matters.
Clinical research takes what scientists discover in the lab and attempts to answer the questions: “Will this work in people?” and “Will this help treat a disease or condition?” Clinical research helps us learn more about health and helps us find better ways to prevent and treat disease and illness.
The National Institutes of Health also offers more information about children and clinical studies, including a video for parents about enrolling one's child in a clinical study.
Clinical Studies Accreditation
Nationwide Children's Hospital has received full accreditation as an organization that demonstrates and emphasizes clinical study participant safeguards that surpass state and federal requirements.
Clinical Research Services Obligations
Our Obligations to our Patients and our Families
- We will treat each family as our priority, providing them with the respect, attention and care that they deserve
- We will remove your child from the study if we feel it is in your child’s best interest to do so
- We will notify you when we receive new information that may affect your willingness to continue in the study
- We will ensure that your visits to Clinical Research Services are comfortable and completed in a timely fashion
Patient Bill of Rights
Anyone participating in a research study has the right:
- To be provided with information about why the study is being done
- To be given information on what will happen during the study (what procedures will be done, how many visits will occur, etc.)
- To be told about any risks or discomfort that may be experienced if you decide to be in the study
- To be told about any benefits from being in the study
- To be given information about alternative therapies and treatments for your condition
- To have the study staff review the study and consent form information with you so that you can ask any questions that you may have
- To be informed of what you should do if you have a complication from being in the study
- To be given information that you may stop being in the study at any time, without compromising your future healthcare
Resources for Families
Current Clinical Research
Clinical and Translational Research
Clinical and translational research are strategic priorities for The Research Institute and Nationwide Children's Hospital. Clinical researchers at Nationwide Children’s are committed to identifying new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases, taking research discoveries from the lab to the patient’s bedside.
Clinical Research Services
Nationwide Children’s Clinical Research Services expert staff is committed to providing high quality care to research volunteers and their families participating in research studies. Inpatient clinical research services currently are available at Nationwide Children's Hospital and at The Ohio State University Clinical Research Center, located within 15 minutes of Nationwide Children’s.
Clinical Research History
The history of research at Nationwide Children’s dates back to the hospital’s inception in 1892. Notable clinical research programs over the years have included the study of rhinoviruses as the agent of the common cold; microvolume techniques for blood testing, especially in small, premature infants; the development of an infant pulmonary function testing device; and most recently, the first human gene therapy trial for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Other innovative research poised to move toward clinical studies in children include a potential vaccine for ear infections; a vaccine to prevent RSV and hepatitis C infection; and further understanding into the mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders.