Boston Children's Hospital

This study tests a behavioral program called Individualized Developmental Care (NIDCAP) for newborns with complex congenital heart disease. The program aims to reduce stress from the hospital environment by supporting parent involvement, creating a soothing setting, and adjusting…

This study looked at a fetal surgery called fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) to treat vasa previa, a condition where fetal blood vessels cover the womb opening, making vaginal delivery dangerous. The goal was to seal off these vessels to prevent bleeding and allow a safer …

This study planned to test a new surgical approach for people with pulmonary vein stenosis, a condition where the veins carrying blood from the lungs to the heart become narrowed. The procedure involved transplanting a donor's left atrium and pulmonary veins, followed by lifelong…

This phase 3 trial compares two standard treatments for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in patients up to age 25 who lack a matched sibling donor: unrelated donor bone marrow transplant (URD BMT) versus immune suppressive therapy (IST). The study measures which approach better preve…

This study looks at 100 Ugandan infants under 6 months old with hydrocephalus caused by a brain infection. It compares two surgeries: a standard shunt and a newer procedure called ETV/CPC. The goal is to see which treatment leads to better brain growth and thinking skills over tw…

This study tests a 4% T-EDTA lock solution (KiteLock™) in 15 children aged 3 months to 18 years who have a central line for IV nutrition. The solution is placed into the line when not in use to prevent blood clots and infections. Researchers will track side effects, line blockage…

This study tests whether adding everolimus to the existing drug lonafarnib can better control progeria, a rare disease that causes rapid aging in children. About 80 children with confirmed progeria will take both pills by mouth. The first part finds the safest dose of everolimus,…

This study tests a bone marrow transplant method that avoids harsh chemotherapy and radiation for people with dyskeratosis congenita, a genetic disorder causing bone marrow failure. The goal is to fix the blood system without worsening lung or liver disease or raising cancer risk…

This study tests a surgery called ETV/CPC as an alternative to standard shunts for infants with hydrocephalus in Uganda. Shunts often fail and need lifelong maintenance, but ETV/CPC aims to give babies a shunt-free life. Researchers will follow 400 infants to see how well the sur…

This study looks at whether people aged 12 and older with a certain gene variant (IL-4RαR576) respond better to the asthma drug dupilumab. 150 participants will receive either dupilumab or a placebo for 48 weeks. The main goal is to see if the drug reduces asthma attacks more in …

This early-stage trial tests whether metformin, a common diabetes drug, is safe and feasible for infants who suffered brain injury from lack of oxygen at birth. Thirty infants under 6 months old will receive metformin for 6 weeks, with close monitoring of kidney and liver functio…

This study looks at a device called RELiZORB that attaches to a feeding tube to pre-digest fat, making it easier for children with short bowel syndrome to absorb nutrients. The goal is to see if using it daily for 90 days can safely reduce or eliminate the need for intravenous (I…

This study tests a program called MOMENT-V that combines two counseling sessions with a smartphone app to help young adults reduce cannabis use. About 65 participants will either use the full program or have a brief counseling session. Researchers will check if the program is eas…

This study looks at whether giving red blood cell transfusions only when a child is bleeding or not getting enough oxygen (instead of using a fixed hemoglobin level) can reduce organ damage and improve brain development. It involves 228 children under 6 years old on ECMO life sup…

This study compares a digital otoscope (a high-tech ear scope) to a standard one for diagnosing ear infections in young children. Four pediatric clinics in Massachusetts will take part, with two using the digital device and two using the usual scope. The goal is to see if the dig…

This study looks at whether a substance called UDP-glucose in urine can help doctors find kidney injury earlier in children after heart surgery. Current tests often miss early signs, delaying treatment. About 305 children under 8 years old having heart surgery will provide urine …

This study tests whether giving omalizumab (Xolair) to 2-3 year olds at high risk for asthma for two years can prevent the disease from developing. 200 children are enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After treatment, they are monitored for another two years to …

This study looks at two ways to lower anxiety in children aged 3 to 10 who need surgical pins removed from an elbow fracture. One approach removes the pins right after the cast comes off, before an X-ray, instead of after. The other uses a virtual reality headset during the pin r…

This study looks at whether adding mental skills coaching to standard care helps adolescent athletes feel more confident about returning to sports after ACL reconstruction. About 30 teens and young adults will take part. The goal is to see if this approach is practical and if it …

This study tests a digital tool called aflo™ that attaches to asthma inhalers and gives real-time feedback on how to use them correctly. It aims to see if the tool helps people with uncontrolled asthma improve their inhaler technique, medication adherence, and overall asthma cont…

This small pilot study at Boston Children's Hospital will test whether a handheld device that guides deep breathing can help children with ADHD pay attention and control impulses. Ten children aged 7 to 11 will use the tool and then complete computer tasks while their brain activ…

This study looks at whether a 6-week, self-guided online education program can help Boston Marathon runners with patellofemoral pain (runner's knee) feel better and run better. About 104 runners will be split into two groups: one gets the program before the marathon, the other af…

This study planned to see if a TENS device could reduce pain and improve quality of life in adolescents and young adults with endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain. It was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled, so no data was collected. The goal was to offer a non-d…

This study tests whether combining standard monitoring tools with new light-based sensors can better detect a dangerous narrowing of the aorta in newborns. Infants under one month old with suspected aortic arch obstruction will be monitored using resonance Raman spectroscopy, pul…

This study aims to uncover the genetic and environmental factors behind autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including autism, Asperger's syndrome, and PDD. Researchers will analyze gene expression in 240 participants aged 18 months and older who have an ASD diagnosis. The goal is to…

This study aimed to compare T cell populations between people with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls to better understand which immune cells attack the nerves. It was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available. The goal was to learn more about …

This study looks at how stress affects the brain and body in 70 teenagers (ages 11-17) with chronic widespread pain. Participants will have an MRI scan while experiencing mild heat pain, and provide saliva samples to measure stress hormones. The goal is to understand the link bet…

This study looks at how children aged 0-6 process the painkiller oxycodone after surgery. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and check certain genes that affect how the drug is broken down. The goal is to understand why some children may have more side effects or n…

This study looks back at medical records of 300 children with Klippel-Feil syndrome who had surgery at Boston Children's Hospital. The goal is to understand how often they have difficult airways during anesthesia and what neck abnormalities cause problems. The findings may help a…

This study looks at how general anesthesia changes the way children process liquid oxycodone, a common painkiller used after surgery. Researchers will give the drug to 40 children aged 2-8 at different times during anesthesia and measure its levels in the blood. They will also ch…

This study looks at how a knee condition called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) affects the mental health of young athletes aged 11 to 19. Researchers will measure stress and depression levels in 120 patients as they go through standard treatment, either surgery or non-surgical c…

This study uses ultrasound to check if pressing on the neck (cricoid pressure) during anesthesia prevents stomach contents from entering the lungs in children. Researchers will measure the esophagus before and after pressure in 35 kids aged 0-17. They also test if pressing from t…

This study is building an online platform called DBS MatchMaker to connect doctors around the world who treat rare movement disorders with deep brain stimulation (DBS). The goal is to help doctors share knowledge and find the best ways to treat patients. Up to 500 people of all a…

This study at Boston Children's Hospital will test whether measuring thousands of proteins in a few drops of blood can predict which children with congenital heart disease will have serious complications after heart surgery. Researchers will collect blood samples from 60 children…

This study is looking at how certain white blood cells (neutrophils) behave in patients having spine or abdominal surgery. The goal is to see if differences in these cells can help explain why some patients get infections after surgery. Researchers will compare the immune cell pr…

This study aims to better understand what causes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and other gut problems by analyzing blood and tissue samples from 1,000 patients. Researchers will use advanced lab techniques to track immune system changes over …

This study tests a 4-week group coaching program called FAVORes for caregivers of children in food-insecure households. The workshop teaches budgeting, nutrition, and how to find community resources. Researchers will survey 40 participants before and after the program to see if i…

This study at Boston Children's Hospital is testing whether a thorough catheterization assessment can predict the outcome of pulmonary vein stenosis in children. Eighty children with known or suspected vein narrowing will undergo four tests during catheterization: angiography, ul…

This study is collecting genetic information and observable traits from 1500 people with autism and their families. The goal is to better understand how genes relate to autism. Participants must be at least 18 months old and have an autism diagnosis or a related genetic finding.

This study planned to compare two types of nerve blocks (erector spinae block and quadratus lumborum block) for pain control after hip surgery in young people aged 15-30. The goal was to see if one block reduced opioid use or pain scores more than the other. However, the study wa…