Experimental fetal fluid therapy aims to save babies born without kidneys

NCT ID NCT03101891

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This trial tests whether repeatedly adding sterile fluid into the womb can help fetuses with severe kidney failure grow enough lungs to survive after birth. Pregnant women with early pregnancy kidney failure can choose to receive the infusions or just be monitored. Babies who survive will need intensive care, dialysis, and eventually a kidney transplant. The study is no longer enrolling for one type of kidney problem but continues for others.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: serial amnioinfusions with isotonic fluid
What this could lead to: If it works, this could help babies with severe kidney failure survive birth by improving lung growth, though they will still need lifelong dialysis and a kidney transplant.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 1 trial with only 70 participants and no random assignment. There is a high risk of early rupture of membranes and premature delivery. The treatment does not fix the kidneys.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bilateral renal agenesis congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract 2 congenital anomaly of kidney and urinary tract Hereditary renal agenesis kidney failure lower urinary tract obstruction, congenital multicystic dysplastic kidney Multicystic renal dysplasia, bilateral Potter sequence pulmonary hypoplasia urinary tract obstruction

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANHYDRAMNIOS FETAL RENAL ANOMALY LOWER URINARY TRACT OBSTRUCTIVE SYNDROME LUNG HYPOPLASIA MULTICYSTIC DYSPLASTIC KIDNEY MULTICYSTIC RENAL DYSPLASIA, BILATERAL POTTER SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

Locations

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Columbia University

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States
University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
University of Colorado Denver

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
University of Southern California/Children's Hospital of Los Angeles/Huntington Hospital

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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