Enrollment of Neonates in More Than One Clinical Trial.

Because the highest rates of morbidity and mortality in neonates are seen in those born at <32 weeks' gestation, this group has the most urgent need for novel therapies to improve survival and outcome. Legislative efforts in the United States and Europe have attempted to address this issue by requiring the study of drugs, biological and nutritional products, devices, and other therapies in this population through a combination of high-quality regulatory and clinical trials, quality improvement initiatives, and observational studies. Because there are relatively small numbers of very preterm neonates born each year in any 1 country or continent, and because a significant number of clinical trials are recruiting at any 1 time, a neonate may meet enrollment criteria for >1 clinical trial.