Treating severe brain injury in children: ICP pressure-monitoring care versus scan-and-exam–guided care in Latin America
Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Latin America – A Randomized Trial Comparing Two Management Protocols
This project compares two ways doctors manage severe brain injury in children—one guided by a pressure sensor inside the head and the other guided by scans and physical exams—to find which leads to better recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137101 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Younger patients with severe traumatic brain injury who need ICU care will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment plans: one where doctors use intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor data to guide therapies and one where care is driven by imaging and clinical exams alone. The trial will take place at seven pediatric intensive care units in Latin America and follow children through their recovery to measure outcomes. The team builds on adult research but recognizes children respond differently, so the trial focuses specifically on pediatric needs and safety. Results are intended to inform care guidelines used by doctors treating children with severe TBI worldwide.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents hospitalized with severe traumatic brain injury who require intensive care and are eligible for intracranial pressure monitoring would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children with mild or moderate TBI, those not needing ICU-level care, or those who cannot have an ICP monitor placed would not be expected to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could point doctors toward the safer, more effective approach for treating children with severe TBI and improve their chances for better long-term recovery.
How similar studies have performed: A prior adult randomized trial found no clear benefit to ICP-guided care, so applying and testing this approach in children is new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chesnut, Randall M — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Chesnut, Randall M
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.