Methods Enrollment Process in the PEDS-C Trial PEDS-C [pegylated interferon +/- ribaviiin in children with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection], is the first multi-center, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial for children with CHC (Schwarz et al., 2011). The purpose of this trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of pegy1ated—interferon alfa-2a (PEG-2a) with ribaviiin (RV) versus PEG-2a alone for the treatment of
CHC in children. The study was conducted at 11 centers across the United States. The target enrollment was 114 children between the ages of 5 to 17 years to be enrolled over a 121nonth period. Study participation was consistent with the investigational review board (IRB) requirements at all the participating centers. The PEDS-C study was monitored closely by a Data Safety and Monitoring Board prior to initiation and during the course of the study. Consent forms were approved by the IRB of all the centers and met the requirement of a sixth to eighth grade readability level. The consent form was written in simple language and included the statement: “this project has been explained to my childi my presence and in language he/she can understand.” Assent forms were required for children less than 14years old to make accommodations for younger children and other children who may have variations in reading levels who we enrolled in our study. Children younger than 7 years (ages 5 and 6years) were informed about the study in simple language in the presence of parents but were not required to sign their names given their young age. For patients between the ages of 13 and 17years, the following statement was added to the consent: “He/she has been encouraged to ask questions now and in the future about the research study.”