WHO sets first global roadmap for child-focused dengue treatments

Dengue continues to spread across more than 100 countries and is now one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne health threats worldwide.

Dengue treatment research for children has received a major boost after the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever Paediatric Drug Optimization Process (PADO) for dengue, establishing a roadmap to guide the development of medicines specifically designed for younger patients.

The new report follows a WHO-convened meeting held in October 2025 and identifies priority treatment candidates, research gaps, and investment needs that could accelerate access to safe and effective dengue therapies for children. Health experts say the initiative addresses a long-standing gap in dengue care, where treatment options remain limited despite children being among the groups most affected by the disease.

Dengue continues to spread across more than 100 countries and is now one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne health threats worldwide. More than 14 million cases and over 10,000 dengue-related deaths were reported in 2024, roughly double the number recorded the previous year.

Children remain especially vulnerable to severe dengue

Young children face a greater risk of serious complications from dengue infection, yet there are currently no licensed treatments available to directly treat the disease. Medical care largely focuses on managing symptoms and preventing severe outcomes through supportive treatment.

WHO officials say this situation highlights the need to consider children's requirements much earlier in the development process rather than adapting medicines after adult products have already been designed. The organization argues that child-friendly formulations, appropriate dosing, and age-specific clinical data should be incorporated from the earliest stages of therapeutic development to improve treatment outcomes and accessibility.

Priority list highlights promising treatment candidates

The PADO initiative was carried out in partnership with the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations and brought together researchers, regulators, donors, clinicians, and product development organizations to review the current dengue treatment pipeline.

One of the report's most significant outcomes is the creation of the first dengue-specific priority and watch lists for paediatric treatments. A monoclonal antibody candidate designed for treating dengue in children was placed on the priority list for the next three to five years due to its advanced development stage and ongoing evaluation in children aged five years and older.

Four additional treatment candidates were added to a watch list for continued monitoring and future development consideration. The report also contributed to the creation of broader target product profiles for both non-severe and severe dengue therapies, ensuring that children's specific needs are reflected in future treatment strategies.

Call for earlier paediatric research and stronger investment

WHO is urging researchers and pharmaceutical developers to begin paediatric studies much earlier once sufficient safety and efficacy data become available from adult clinical trials. The report notes that children's experiences with dengue can differ significantly from adults due to factors such as age, nutrition, obesity, and other health conditions.

The organization believes earlier planning can shorten delays in bringing suitable treatments to children living in dengue-endemic regions. Experts involved in the initiative say the report provides a practical guide for governments, researchers, regulators, funders, and healthcare organizations seeking to prioritize investments where they can have the greatest impact.

By establishing clear priorities and development pathways, WHO hopes to accelerate progress toward the first generation of dengue treatments designed specifically for children, a group that continues to carry a significant share of the disease burden worldwide.