Understanding which fluid is best for patients with sepsis

Finding Appropriate Subtypes in a Trial of Balanced versus nOrmaL Saline FlUid in Sepsis

NIH-funded research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11141009

This research aims to discover if certain types of intravenous fluids work better for specific children and adults who have sepsis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11141009 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Sepsis is a serious condition where the body overreacts to an infection, affecting many children and adults each year. While antibiotics and fluids are key treatments, doctors are still debating which type of fluid is best. Previous work in adults suggests that 'balanced' fluids might be better for kidney health than 'normal saline.' This project will look closely at information from a large ongoing effort called PRoMPT BOLUS, which is comparing these fluids in children with sepsis, to find out if certain patient groups respond better to one fluid over another.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to children and adults who have been diagnosed with sepsis and received fluid resuscitation.

Not a fit: Patients without sepsis or those not receiving intravenous fluid resuscitation would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose the most effective intravenous fluid for individual patients with sepsis, potentially improving kidney outcomes and survival.

How similar studies have performed: Previous large studies in adults have shown that balanced crystalloid solutions may lead to better kidney outcomes compared to normal saline in sepsis.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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.