Research Staff's Experiences of Applying the UNCRC in Clinical Research Involving Young Children—An Ongoing Process of Ethical Judgement

ABSTRACT Aim An estimated five million children under the age of five die each year, largely from preventable causes. Clinical research involving young children is essential for improving child health, but is ethically complex. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides a framework for protecting children's rights and best interests. This study explored how clinical research involving children under five can be conducted in accordance with the UNCRC. Methods A qualitative interview study was conducted with six experienced paediatric clinical research staff at Swedish university hospitals. Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore how key UNCRC principles are applied in everyday research practice. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Three themes were identified: Balance of the child's best interest, Supporting the child and the family, and organising ethical paediatric research practice. Applying the UNCRC was described as an ongoing process of ethical judgement, involving adaptation to the individual child, attention to non‐verbal cues, and careful communication with families. Conclusion The UNCRC provides a complementary framework to existing ethical regulations. Its application relies on professional judgement and is not consistently standardised, but may support more child‐centred and ethically grounded research practice.