Table I.

Summary of Considerations for Conducting Pediatric Clinical Research During COVID-19

Recruitment and Consent	Adapt procedures to allow for remote recruitment, electronic consent/assent, and enrollment Partner with stakeholders (e.g., interdisciplinary medical clinic staff, schools, advocacy groups) to support recruitment efforts
Data Collection	Incorporate a variable to distinguish data collected before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic Include a measure, or select items, to assess the impact of COVID-19 on outcomes Include measures assessing topics relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., health-related anxiety) Adapt existing measures for use on electronic platforms, if possible.
Intervention Delivery	Adapt existing research protocols to digital platforms for secure videoconferencing Be agile—the study/intervention may need to shift from remote strategies to in-person approaches, and vice versa, depending on changing COVID-19 guidelines Plan for sanitation of study devices, remote tutorials on their use via phone/videoconferencing Pivot participant compensation methods to include digital delivery (e.g., Amazon gift codes) or remote reloading capabilities (e.g., prepaid debit cards) Assess if additional supports are needed to support intervention engagement (e.g., family lacks broadband internet access)
Reporting Outcomes	Methods: Include details on any of the above changes made due to COVID-19 Results: Include information on differences in demographic information, or outcome variables, if collected before, during, and/or after the COVID-19 pandemic Discussion: Explain limitations to the research due to COVID-19, as well as its unique impact on the findings
Research Training	Adapt student-led research projects to minimize disruptions to training milestones Perform research supervision via videoconferencing Address trainee anxiety about phased re-openings Provide training in newly relevant topics (e.g., donning and doffing PPE for in-person contact)

Note. All considerations should be made in accordance with your IRB, and other institutional and state guidelines. PPE = personal protective equipment.