Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42038218›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in pediatrics2026

Strategic recruitment and retention for pediatric research: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sergio Monares, Madeleine Godfrey, Ava Heinegg, Faith Taliaferro, Peter P Moschovis, Wanda I Gonzalez, Lael M Yonker

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sergio MonaresMucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Madeleine GodfreyMucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Ava HeineggMucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Faith TaliaferroMucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Peter P MoschovisDepartment of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Wanda I GonzalezDepartment of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.
Lael M YonkerMucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategies in pediatric clinical studies, focusing on achieving adequate representation across a range of demographic considerations. Study design: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, PsycNET, and Cochrane databases to identify articles published between January 1, 1993, and September 1, 2024. Inclusion criteria targeted general pediatric studies emphasizing recruitment diversity. We compared success rates of these strategies across different races and ethnicities, targeted age groups, and community location, to current published national recruitment rates in pediatric research. Results: Of the 2,272 studies identified, 23 studies were included that detailed specific recruitment and retention strategies specifically targeting diverse pediatric populations for general pediatric health topics. These studies enrolled a total of 5,482 participants with ages ranging from 0.55-19.8 years of age for child and adolescent populations, and a mean parental age of 35.5 years for studies targeting parents of children. Community-based recruitment strategies were most effective for engaging underrepresented populations. Family services and flexible scheduling were particularly effective for parents and young children, while monetary compensation and group-oriented efforts resonated more with adolescents. Retention strategies, including flexible scheduling, family services, and compensation, were successful across populations. Conclusion: Tailored recruitment and retention strategies addressing cultural, social, and logistical needs are essential for ensuring diversity of age, race, ethnicity and geographic location in pediatric research. Community-based strategies enhanced recruitment, while compensation and logistical incentives, such as follow-up reminders and family services improved retention. Addressing data gaps on recruitment and retention efforts are critical for future research to achieve adequate representation and improve health outcomes in pediatrics.

Indexed as

participant engagementpediatric researchrecruitment strategiesretention strategiesstudy design

Identifiers

PMID42038218
PMCPMC13106582

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.