A common amino acid may calm sickle cell pain crises — a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT02447874
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether giving extra arginine intravenously to children with sickle cell disease during a painful vaso-occlusive crisis can lower pain scores, reduce the need for painkillers, and shorten hospital or emergency department visits. The study enrolls children aged 7 to 21 with severe sickle cell disease who require opioid pain relief. Researchers will measure how the body processes arginine and whether it boosts nitric oxide production, which may improve blood flow.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- arginine given intravenously
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, safe way to ease severe pain and shorten hospital stays for children with sickle cell disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 21 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Arginine may not reduce pain or length of stay as hoped.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Children's Healthcare fo Atlanta at Hughes Spalding
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
-
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Arthur M. Blank Hospital
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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