Boston Children's Hospital

This study tested whether adding the drug abatacept to standard medications (calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate) could better prevent severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. 186 participants aged 6 and older were ra…

This study compared two common numbing medicines, lidocaine and bupivacaine, in 60 patients aged 15-35 having jaw surgery. Patients rated their pain and numbness on each side of the jaw to see which medicine worked better. The goal is to help surgeons choose the best anesthetic f…

This study tested a drug called cabergoline to see if it can safely reduce chronic pain in women and teens with endometriosis. The drug works by blocking new blood vessel growth that feeds the disease. 129 participants with surgically-confirmed endometriosis and ongoing pelvic pa…

This study tested a special app called PIRA that teaches children ages 4 to 10 about surgery in a fun, interactive way. Researchers wanted to see if using the app before an operation would lower anxiety in kids and their parents, and help kids wake up more calmly from anesthesia.…

This study tested whether using a cold therapy device (an FDA-approved cold pack) could help children aged 7 and older feel less pain after appendix removal surgery. 52 kids took part, and the researchers measured their pain scores and how much morphine they needed. The goal was …

This study tested a behavioral therapy called JASPER in 103 children with Down syndrome, ages 3 to 7. Caregivers received coaching to help their child improve joint attention, play, and social communication. The goal was to see if this approach helps children engage more and deve…

This study looked at whether using a Fitbit fitness tracker helps adults with cystic fibrosis exercise more regularly. Over one year, 40 participants used the device to track their activity. The goal was to see if this leads to better exercise tolerance and lung function.

This study looked at how indoor air quality affects breathing problems in 165 school-aged children (6-12 years old) who were born very early and have bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease. Researchers measured air in the children's homes and tracked their breat…

This study tested a new taping method to see if it can better secure IV catheters and prevent them from being pulled out. Thirty-two healthy adults had IV catheters taped to their skin (not inserted) using three different taping methods. A device measured how much force each tape…

This study looked at why many critically ill children develop stomach and gut problems. Researchers measured certain molecules in the blood and stool of 99 children to see if they are linked to poor stomach emptying and gut barrier damage. The goal was to better understand the ca…

This study compared two ways of taking ultrasound pictures of the heart (apical vs subcostal) to see which gives a more accurate measurement of the right heart's size in children. Researchers enrolled 50 children under 18 who were already scheduled for a heart MRI. The goal was t…

This study tested a new website designed to help teenagers with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia improve their social relationships. Researchers asked 25 teens and their parents to review the website and give feedback through surveys. The goal was to see if the website was ea…

This study looked at how the brain responds to pain and sound while a person is under general anesthesia. Researchers used a special light-based technique called near-infrared spectroscopy to measure blood flow changes in the brain. 44 healthy volunteers aged 12-30 took part. The…

This study looked at why people with fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome feel pain, even when their bones don't show obvious damage. Researchers used brain scans and pain questionnaires in 37 patients and healthy volunteers. The goal was to learn more about the causes of p…

This study looked at how having COVID-19 or feeling stressed during pregnancy might affect a baby's brain development. Researchers followed 62 mothers and their infants, measuring stress, mental health, and baby brain activity. The goal is to better understand and support familie…

This study looked at how blood sugar levels change in hospitalized infants with intestinal failure when their IV nutrition is switched from continuous (24 hours a day) to cycled (less than 24 hours). Nine babies wore a small sensor on their thigh that measured sugar levels every …

This study looked at 69 women who had a past pregnancy affected by spina bifida to understand how folic acid works. Researchers measured changes in DNA patterns before and after taking folic acid. The goal is to uncover the biological process behind folic acid's ability to preven…

This study tested a non-invasive finger device (CareTaker PDA) to see if it can accurately measure blood pressure continuously in children during surgery. 35 children who already needed an arterial line for their care wore the device for 30 minutes. The goal was to compare the de…

This study looked at how different diets affect the number of calories people burn and their risk for diseases like diabetes and heart problems after losing weight. Over 200 adults took part, and researchers measured their energy use by having them drink special water and trackin…