Authors of a new Pediatrics commentary titled “Ethical Implications of Study Terminations” examine what happens when clinical research trials end abruptly—particularly those that involve children and adolescents, who are already underrepresented in research. They argue that such sudden closures can break trust and harm participants, especially when the research involves young people. They also note that these actions conflict with long-standing ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report—federal guidelines published in 1979 that outline three main principles for human research: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

A new survey-based study from Northwestern University, which examined the diets of parents across every Chicago neighborhood, found that parental intake of omega-3 fatty acids falls below recommended levels, with women consuming even lower amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than men. This deficiency may have direct negative effects on children’s health.