Risk assessment of therapeutic agents under consideration to treat COVID-19 in paediatric patients and pregnant women

Aim Repurposing strategies to address the COVID-19 pandemic have been accelerated. As both pregnant and paediatric patients are likely to be excluded from most planned investigations, the list of repurposed options and the available data on these drugs and vaccines provide a baseline risk assessment and identify gaps for targeted investigation. Methods Clinical trials have been searched and reviewed; 23 repurposed drugs and drug combinations and nine candidate vaccines have been assessed regarding the availability of relevant data in paediatrics and pregnant women and to evaluate expected or unanticipated risk. Results Thirteen of the repurposed drugs or drug combinations are indicated for use in paediatrics in some age category albeit for indications other than COVID-19; 10 of these are indicated for use in pregnant women. Even in cases where these drugs are indicated in the populations, source data from which safety and or dosing could be extrapolated for use in COVID-19 is sparse. Vaccine trials are ongoing and generally exclude pregnant women; only in a few instances have paediatric subgroups been planned for enrolment. Data from individual case studies and RWD may suggest that subpopulations of both paediatric patients and pregnant women may be more at risk, particularly those in an increased inflammatory state. Conclusion In conjunction with more prospective collaboration, plans are evolving to ensure that we will be better prepared to address similar situations especially in paediatrics and pregnant women where experience is limited and actual practice relies heavily on leveraging data from other populations and indications.

Automated summary

The study suggests that pediatric patients and pregnant women may be at increased risk and excluded from drug repurposing and vaccine trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some drugs being indicated for these populations, available data for COVID-19 use is limited.