Better tools for managing diarrhea in children

Development of clinical decision tools for management of diarrhea of children in high and low resource settings

['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11084404

This project creates new digital tools to help doctors make better decisions about treating diarrhea in children, both in places with many resources and those with few.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11084404 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Diarrhea is a major health concern for children worldwide, leading to many deaths in low-income countries and significant healthcare use in high-income areas. While rehydration is key, antibiotics are often overused because doctors frequently guess at the cause of diarrhea. This project aims to improve how we predict the cause of diarrhea by including information beyond just a child's symptoms, like local climate and past patient data. We are developing an electronic tool that can estimate the cause of diarrhea, which could help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. This work seeks to provide healthcare providers with more accurate guidance for treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to children aged 0-11 years who experience acute diarrhea, particularly those seen in emergency departments or ambulatory care facilities.

Not a fit: Patients whose diarrhea is not related to the types of conditions or settings addressed by these decision tools may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea in children, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and improving health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data suggests that integrating patient-extrinsic data can improve prediction models and that electronic decision-support tools can decrease antibiotic prescription rates.

Where this research is happening

SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.