Why do we need to publish paediatric data

Abstract The chapter focuses on the need to share information and make paediatric data easily available. There is not per se a specific way to report paediatric scientific data. However, there have been numerous concerns raised by what can be qualified without any malicious intention as nonoptimal publication patterns or questionable reporting strategies. Using current controversies, we would like to bring insights about the pitfalls of imperfect data dissemination and reinforce the indisputable need of publishing paediatric study results in a scientifically sound way and a timely fashion manner. Furthermore, easy access to medical information via the democratisation of the internet has opened a new area where it can be difficult to distinguish real scientific information to unintentional misinformation or malicious fake news. For the didactic purpose of this chapter, we will use two examples, potentially inflammatory, first the concern of a potential link between childhood vaccinations and the subsequent development of autism and second the publication of the paediatric efficacy and safety data of the studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in paediatric major depressive disorder (MDD).