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pediatric-clinical-research/README.md

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Pediatric Clinical Research Quality Management System

This repository contains template documents for implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) specifically designed for Pediatric Clinical Research, with focus on the unique regulatory, ethical, and operational requirements for research involving children.

Designed For

  • Pediatric Clinical Research Organizations (CROs)
  • Children's Hospitals and Academic Medical Centers
  • Pediatric Clinical Trial Sites
  • Pharmaceutical/Biotech Pediatric Development Programs
  • Pediatric Research Networks
  • IRB/Ethics Committees reviewing pediatric research

Repository Structure

pediatric-clinical-research/
├── Policies/              # Quality policies and management commitment
├── SOPs/                  # Standard Operating Procedures
│   ├── Clinical/          # Clinical trial operations
│   ├── Regulatory/        # Regulatory submissions and compliance
│   ├── Data-Management/   # Clinical data handling
│   ├── Safety/            # Adverse event reporting
│   └── Pediatric-Specific/ # Pediatric-specific procedures
├── Work Instructions/     # Detailed work instructions
├── Forms/                 # Record forms and templates
│   ├── Assent-Forms/      # Age-appropriate assent templates
│   ├── Parental-Permission/ # Parental permission templates
│   ├── Case-Report/       # Pediatric CRF templates
│   ├── Monitoring/        # Site monitoring forms
│   └── Safety-Monitoring/ # Pediatric safety monitoring
└── Templates/             # Document templates

Document Numbering Convention

  • POL-XXX: Policies
  • SOP-CL-XXX: Clinical SOPs
  • SOP-REG-XXX: Regulatory SOPs
  • SOP-DM-XXX: Data Management SOPs
  • SOP-SAF-XXX: Safety SOPs
  • SOP-PED-XXX: Pediatric-Specific SOPs
  • WI-XXX: Work Instructions
  • FRM-XXX: Forms and Records
  • ASF-XXX: Assent Forms
  • PPF-XXX: Parental Permission Forms
  • ICF-XXX: Informed Consent Forms (for parents/LAR)

AI-Powered Document Creation

This template includes AtomicAI integration specialized for pediatric research. Simply create an issue and mention @atomicai to:

  • Generate pediatric-specific SOPs
  • Create age-appropriate assent forms
  • Draft parental permission documents
  • Develop pediatric safety monitoring plans
  • Update existing documents with pediatric considerations

Getting Started

  1. Create a new repository using this template
  2. Customize documents with your organization's information
  3. Create issues with @atomicai to generate new pediatric research documents
  4. Review and approve AI-generated content via Pull Requests

Pediatric Age Classifications

This template uses standard pediatric age classifications:

Age Group Definition
Neonates Birth to 28 days
Infants 29 days to < 2 years
Children 2 to < 12 years
Adolescents 12 to < 18 years (or < 21 in some jurisdictions)

Key Pediatric Research Considerations

Ethical Protections

  • 45 CFR 46 Subpart D: Additional protections for children in research
  • 21 CFR 50 Subpart D: Additional safeguards for children
  • Both parental permission AND child assent typically required
  • Minimal risk threshold assessed differently for pediatric population
  • Direct benefit to child must be clearly articulated

Regulatory Frameworks

  • ICH E11: Clinical Investigation of Medicinal Products in the Pediatric Population
  • Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA): Requires pediatric studies for certain new drugs/biologics
  • Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA): Incentivizes pediatric drug studies
  • FDA Pediatric Study Plans (PSP): Required planning documents for pediatric investigations

Operational Considerations

  • Age-appropriate assent processes and materials
  • Parental permission requirements (one vs. two parents)
  • School/education coordination for study visits
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Pediatric dosing and pharmacokinetics
  • Adolescent-specific issues (emancipated minors, reproductive health)
  • Family-centered care approaches
  • Minimizing caregiver burden

Safety Monitoring

  • Enhanced safety monitoring requirements
  • Growth and development assessments
  • Long-term follow-up considerations
  • Pediatric-specific adverse events
  • Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) requirements
  • Expedited reporting timelines

Regulatory Compliance

These templates support compliance with:

  • 45 CFR 46 Subpart D - Additional Protections for Children
  • 21 CFR Part 50 Subpart D - Additional Safeguards for Children
  • ICH-GCP E6(R2) - Good Clinical Practice
  • ICH E11 - Pediatric Clinical Investigations
  • 21 CFR Part 11 - Electronic Records
  • 21 CFR Parts 50, 56 - Human Subject Protection
  • HIPAA - Health Information Privacy
  • COPPA - Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (if applicable)
  • GDPR - Data Protection (EU studies)

Special Populations

This template addresses:

  • Neonatal intensive care research
  • Pediatric oncology studies
  • Rare pediatric diseases
  • Emergency research in children
  • Genetic/genomic research in pediatrics
  • Mental health research with minors
  • Adolescent reproductive health research

Powered by AtomicQMS - AI-Enhanced Pediatric Clinical Research Quality Management