Blood transfusions and organ failure in children with septic shock
Official title: Transfusion and Organ Dysfunction in Pediatric Septic Shock (TROPICS) study
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11264949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a child’s circulation, immune status, and the type of red blood cells given affect recovery and organ problems during septic shock in young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $464,028 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157208-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children (infants through about 11 years old) in the pediatric ICU with septic shock who are being considered for or receive red blood cell transfusions.
✕Less likely to help
Children without septic shock, adults, or children who never need a blood transfusion would not be candidates and likely would not benefit directly.
What this research studies
If your child is admitted to the pediatric ICU with septic shock, the team will collect clinical vital-sign and hemodynamic data, immune tests, and samples from the blood units given. They will measure features of the donated red blood cells (how they were collected, stored, and what soluble substances they contain) and link those to organ function after transfusion. The researchers will combine these physiologic and blood-product factors to build decision-support tools that aim to identify which children are likely to benefit or be harmed by a transfusion. The work uses bedside monitoring, blood sampling, and clinical record data from children who receive transfusions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors personalize transfusion decisions to reduce harm and improve organ recovery in children with septic shock.
How similar studies have gone: Prior trials that used hemoglobin levels alone to guide transfusions had mixed or harmful results, so this physiologic and blood-product–based approach is newer, supported by preliminary data, but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muszynski, Jennifer — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Muszynski, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pragmatic midodrine trial to reduce ICU vasopressor use in septic shock
A practical, patient-focused trial tests whether taking oral midodrine can lessen the need for IV vasopressors and shorten ICU stays for people with sepsis-related low blood pressure.
-
Personalized vasopressor therapy for septic shock
A clinician-scientist at Cleveland Clinic aims to tailor vasopressor treatment for septic shock patients using patient-specific factors.
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Angiotensin-based treatment strategy in septic shock
A clinical trial will compare giving Angiotensin II versus standard norepinephrine to support blood pressure in septic shock patients, aiming to improve outcomes.
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Percutaneous stellate ganglion stimulation to support blood pressure in septic shock
A small, portable neuromodulation device would be tested to help people with septic shock maintain blood pressure while doctors adjust medicines.
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Macrophage metabolism and septic shock in humans
A study at Boston Children’s Hospital will explore how immune cells’ metabolism affects severe infection (septic shock) and whether targeting this metabolic pathway could help patients.
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How immune cell metabolism affects septic shock
This study is looking at how the way immune cells use energy affects the body's reaction to septic shock, which can happen after a severe infection, and it hopes to find new ways to help people with sepsis feel better by reducing harmful inflammation.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.