Comparing ketamine and morphine for treating acute pain in children.
Official title: Efficacy of intravenous sub-dissociative ketamine versus intravenous morphine in children with acute pain.
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10990856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a lower dose of ketamine can help kids in the emergency room feel better from pain compared to morphine, with the goal of finding a safer and more effective way to treat their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,403,269 |
| NIH project number | 1U01HD116253-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0 to 17 years experiencing acute pain, particularly those presenting to emergency departments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic pain conditions or those who are not experiencing acute pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of intravenous sub-dissociative ketamine compared to intravenous morphine for managing acute pain in children visiting emergency departments. The study aims to address the common issue of inadequate pain treatment in pediatric patients, which can lead to both immediate and long-term consequences. By using sub-dissociative doses of ketamine, the research seeks to provide a safer alternative to morphine, which is often associated with serious side effects. The study will evaluate pain relief outcomes and the potential for reducing long-term complications related to acute pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective pain management option for children in emergency settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that sub-dissociative doses of ketamine can be effective and safe for pain management in adults, suggesting potential success in pediatric applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsze, Daniel Sing-Kwong — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Tsze, Daniel Sing-Kwong
Related research
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IV ketamine vs morphine for acute pain in children
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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.