Stopping Sepsis Deaths and Organ Failure in Young Children
Suspect Treat Organ failure Prevent Sepsis Mortality (STOP Sepsis Mortality)
This project works to use cellular energy biology, stem-cell signals, and AI to help doctors find and treat sepsis sooner in babies and children to prevent organ failure and death.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252293 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how sepsis disrupts cell energy in infants and young children and how tiny particles released by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC‑EVs) might restore that energy. They will combine blood biomarkers of metabolism and oxidative stress with AI tools to recognize different sepsis types and guide treatment choices. The team will analyze patient-derived samples alongside laboratory models to develop tests and therapies that protect cells from energy failure and excessive inflammation. The overall aim is to create tools hospitals can use to stop organ damage and reduce deaths from pediatric sepsis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children from newborns up to about 11 years old who are admitted to hospital with suspected or confirmed sepsis, or who are judged at high risk for sepsis, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Healthy children or those with non-infectious conditions causing organ problems would not be expected to directly benefit from this specific sepsis-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier, more targeted treatments that reduce organ failure and mortality from sepsis in infants and children.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies suggest MSC-derived extracellular vesicles can improve cellular energetics, but translating these findings into treatments for pediatric sepsis is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Children's Research Institute — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koutroulis, Ioannis — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Koutroulis, Ioannis
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 below.