Improving Cooling Treatment for Newborn Brain Injury

Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Potential of Innovative NIRS to Optimize Hypothermia

['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11093545

This project looks for better ways to guide cooling treatment for newborns who have experienced brain injury due to lack of oxygen.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorBOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11093545 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Newborns who experience a lack of oxygen at birth can suffer brain injury, leading to serious health problems. While cooling therapy helps, many infants still face long-term challenges, and it's not always clear when to use this treatment for milder cases. This research uses a special light-based technology called NIRS to measure how much oxygen the baby's brain is using and how blood is flowing. By understanding these brain activities at the bedside, doctors hope to fine-tune cooling therapy and prevent further brain damage.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for newborns who have experienced a lack of oxygen at birth, leading to a condition called hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a lack of oxygen at birth or do not have HIE would not directly benefit from this specific treatment optimization.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more precise and effective cooling treatments, potentially reducing brain injury and improving long-term outcomes for affected newborns.

How similar studies have performed: Therapeutic hypothermia has already been proven to reduce brain injury in newborns with HIE, and this project builds upon that success by seeking to optimize its application.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, 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.