Evaluating the Decisional Capacity for Informed Consent of Transition age Children to Adolescence in Human Subject Research

This study aimed to evaluate children's capacity for informed consent. We translated into Azerbaijani language and adapted the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC). We enrolled four healthy groups: children aged 11, 12, and 13 years and adults. We provided the participants with information about the simulated research proposal and a related informed consent form. Subsequently, they were administered the UBACC. The mean total UBACC scores were 11.9 (11-year-olds), 12.7 (12-year-olds), 14.0 (13-year-olds), and 16.0 (adults). The gradual increase in the mean UBACC scores with age suggests the continuous maturation of the capacity to comprehend the informed consent process. There was no specific cutoff age to decide whether the children were competent enough to provide informed consent.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate children's capacity for informed consent. The findings suggest that children's ability to comprehend the informed consent process continues to mature with age. There is no specific age cutoff to determine whether children are competent enough to provide informed consent.