More than baby steps: perspectives on pediatric translational research.

Although children represent 25% of the U.S. population and nearly 40% of the world's population, pediatric product development typically lags behind that targeted at adults. Here the authors describe the challenges and opportunities of pediatric product development and the unique issues that surround pediatric research. Assuring advancement in pediatric health through clinical and translational medicine is a high priority and an investment in the future.