Predicting which children will die shortly after terminal extubation to improve organ donation outcomes

Death One Hour After Terminal Extubation (DONATE) 2.0 Study

NIH-funded research Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11039253

This study is working on a way to help doctors decide if children who are very sick and likely to pass away soon can be considered for organ donation, using smart technology to make the process easier and less stressful for families.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11039253 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving organ donation processes for children by predicting which patients are likely to die within one hour after terminal extubation. Using a machine learning model called DONATE, the team analyzes multi-site data to enhance clinical decision-making regarding organ donation after circulatory death (DCD). The goal is to develop a clinical decision support tool that helps clinicians assess the candidacy of children for DCD, ultimately aiming to increase the number of viable organ donations while minimizing emotional strain on families. The research seeks to ensure that only those patients who are likely to pass away within the critical timeframe are considered for organ donation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children who are terminally ill and may be considered for organ donation after circulatory death.

Not a fit: Patients who are not terminally ill or those who do not meet the criteria for organ donation will not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of organs available for transplantation in children, potentially saving many lives.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning models for predicting patient outcomes in critical care settings, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.