Which IV fluid is safer for kids with sepsis? major trial gives answers
NCT ID NCT04102371
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This large study tested whether a 'balanced' fluid (Lactated Ringer) is better than normal saline for children with septic shock. Over 9,000 kids participated across multiple hospitals. The goal was to see which fluid reduces the risk of serious kidney problems or death within 30 days.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Lactated Ringer (balanced fluid) and normal saline (unbalanced fluid)
What this could lead to
If balanced fluids prove better, this could guide hospitals to use them routinely for children with sepsis, reducing kidney damage and improving survival.
What could go wrong
This is a large, completed Phase 3 trial, but the difference between fluids may be small, and results might not apply to all settings or age groups.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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CHLA: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
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CS Mott Children's Hospital
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
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Children's Colorado: University of Colorado
Denver, Colorado, 80204, United States
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Children's Hospital of Atlanta
Emory, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States
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Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Richmond, Virginia, 23284, United States
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Children's National Medical Center
Columbia, Washington, 20010, United States
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
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Columbia: New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, New York, 10065-4870, United States
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Dallas Children's: Children's Medical Center Dallas/UT southwestern
Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
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Hasbro Children's Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
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Lurie Children's: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Milwaukee (MCW): Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
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Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Primary Children's: University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84113, United States
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Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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UC Davis: University of California, Davis
Davis, California, 95616, United States
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UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States