Successful strategies for recruitment and retention (R & R) in pediatric trials are needed. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effectiveness of R&R in a trial for children with hepatitis C. Recruitment strategies were (1) Initial (months 0-12) and (2) extra effort (months 13-18). Initial strategies enrolled 70/114 (61%) of patients. Extra effort strategies included: (1) radio broadcasts, (2) Contact with adult hepatologists, (3) dissemination of study material and (4) modification of the exclusion criteria. The overall retention rate was 84% at Zyears. Lessons learned will be valuable in designing future pediatric trials. @ 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved