Which IV fluid is safer for kids with sepsis? major trial gives answers

NCT ID NCT04102371

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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.

Sepsis Shock toxic shock syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SEPTIC SHOCK

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
CHLA: Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
CS Mott Children's Hospital

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
Children's Colorado: University of Colorado

Denver, Colorado, 80204, United States
Children's Hospital of Atlanta

Emory, Georgia, 30322, United States
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Richmond, Virginia, 23284, United States
Children's National Medical Center

Columbia, Washington, 20010, United States
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
Columbia: New York-Presbyterian Hospital

New York, New York, 10065-4870, United States
Dallas Children's: Children's Medical Center Dallas/UT southwestern

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
Hasbro Children's Hospital

Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
Lurie Children's: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Milwaukee (MCW): Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
Nationwide Children's Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
Primary Children's: University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84113, United States
Seattle Children's Hospital

Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States
Texas Children's Hospital

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
UC Davis: University of California, Davis

Davis, California, 95616, United States
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
Washington University

St Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States

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