IPD-MA Limitations

Risks & contraindications

Comparisons

Evidence quality

Highlighted claims

• IPD-MA is only applicable when underlying individual patient data exist and can be accessed. — Individual patient data meta-analysis: a cost-effective and efficient tool to advance paediatric research in low- and middle-income countries
• Privacy, consent, pseudonymisation, and data protection governance can significantly constrain IPD-MA, especially for legacy paediatric trials. — Individual patient data meta-analysis: a cost-effective and efficient tool to advance paediatric research in low- and middle-income countries
• Harmonisation requires substantial effort because variables and measurements may differ across studies. — Individual patient data meta-analysis: a cost-effective and efficient tool to advance paediatric research in low- and middle-income countries
• The external validity of an IPD-MA depends on whether contributing studies represent broader LMIC paediatric populations. — Individual patient data meta-analysis: a cost-effective and efficient tool to advance paediatric research in low- and middle-income countries
• IPD-MA can require more logistics and funding than aggregate-data meta-analysis. — Individual patient data meta-analysis: a cost-effective and efficient tool to advance paediatric research in low- and middle-income countries