About PTN

The PTN advances research that helps children receive safer, more effective medicines. This work supports national public health goals to improve children’s health, safety, and well-being, promote healthy development, and strengthen evidence-based approaches that help children thrive across the lifespan.

Only a small percentage of drugs and devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are labeled for pediatric use. Pediatricians, consequently, must often prescribe medical therapies “off-label,” or according to their best guess based on adult studies. The PTN studies such drugs and shares results, data, resources, and information for pediatricians and researchers, as well as parents, family, and caregivers of children involved in pediatric clinical research studies.

The PTN provides research support materials and consultations for pediatric clinical researchers who are outside of the Network.