The Hospital For Sick Children

This study tests whether a lower dose of the steroid prednisone can safely treat relapses of nephrotic syndrome in children, compared to the standard higher dose. About 50 children aged 1 to 18 with active relapses will take part. The goal is to see if the reduced-dose approach i…

This study tests whether giving severely malnourished children fewer calories in the first stage of hospital treatment is safe and helps them survive. About 135 children aged 6 months to 5 years will receive either a standard or a lower-calorie feed. Researchers will monitor for …

This study looks at whether a saliva sample can be used to diagnose Group A Strep (strep throat) instead of the usual throat swab. Throat swabs can be uncomfortable for children, but collecting saliva is much easier. Researchers will compare saliva tests to standard throat swab t…

This study tests a new suicide prevention program for teens at high risk of suicide who come to the emergency department. The program involves both the teen and their family and is compared to standard care. The goal is to see if it reduces suicide attempts and repeat ER visits o…

This study tests a smartphone app designed to help teens and young adults (ages 11-21) with multiple sclerosis become more physically active. The app provides personalized activity coaching and tools to connect with others. Researchers will measure if the app increases daily acti…

This study tests a program to safely remove incorrect penicillin allergy labels from children in the emergency department. Many kids are wrongly labeled as allergic to common antibiotics, often due to rashes that are not true allergies. The program uses an oral challenge—giving t…

This study tests whether special MRI scans can measure oxygen levels (hypoxia) in childhood sarcomas (soft tissue cancers). The goal is to see if these scans can better show how the tumor responds to chemotherapy or radiation. 18 children and teens aged 6-18 with suspected sarcom…

This study tests whether MRI scans can detect lung changes in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who take CFTR-modulator drugs. About 86 participants, including healthy volunteers and CF patients aged 4 and older, will have multiple MRI scans and breathing tests over up to 3 years.…

This study looks at how the bacteria living in a mother's gut during pregnancy, along with her nutrition, can affect her baby's growth and health. Researchers are following 800 young pregnant women (28 and under) in Toronto and their babies for a year after birth. They collect st…

This pilot study tests whether advanced MRI scans can detect very small tumors and tell them apart from harmless growths in people with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a genetic condition that greatly increases lifetime cancer risk. About 30 participants who carry a TP53 gene mutation will…

This study tests a program to help teenagers with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis move from pediatric to adult healthcare. About 90 teens aged 16 to 17.5 will either get standard care or a program with a personal navigator, online skills training, and education. The goal is…

This study compares doing comprehensive genome sequencing right away versus waiting for a genetics specialist and standard tests in 200 children with suspected rare genetic diseases. The goal is to see if the genome-first approach leads to faster and more accurate diagnoses. Part…

This study tests whether a technique called remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can be used in newborns with a serious gut disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). RIC involves briefly inflating a blood pressure cuff on the baby's limb to protect the gut from damage. The go…

This study follows 500 children under 18 who tested positive for flu, RSV, or COVID-19. Researchers measure how long the virus stays active in their bodies and how it spreads to family members and classmates. The goal is to provide better guidance on when it's safe to return to s…

This study explores whether a special ultrasound called elastography can measure changes in skin stiffness in children with localized scleroderma (morphea). About 20 kids will be followed for 9-12 months after starting treatment. The goal is to see if this painless tool can help …

This study looks at how well healthy adults over 60 can use the essential amino acid tryptophan from cornmeal. Researchers will measure breath samples after participants eat controlled diets. The goal is to better understand plant protein quality and help improve food recommendat…