Using arginine therapy to treat sickle cell disease pain in children

1/2 Sickel Cell Disease Treatment with Arginine Therapy (STArT Trial)

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-10925167

This study is looking at whether giving L-arginine through an IV can help reduce pain during sickle cell crises in kids, with the hope of making them feel better and spend less time in the hospital.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-10925167 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of L-arginine therapy to alleviate painful vaso-occlusive episodes in children with sickle cell disease. The approach involves administering intravenous L-arginine to improve blood flow and reduce pain, as previous studies have shown promising results in decreasing opioid use and pain scores. The trial aims to confirm these findings in a larger group of pediatric patients, focusing on enhancing their quality of life and reducing hospital stays. Participants will be closely monitored for improvements in pain management and overall health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who experience vaso-occlusive episodes due to sickle cell disease.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve pain management and quality of life for children suffering from sickle cell disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with L-arginine therapy in reducing pain and opioid use in pediatric sickle cell patients, indicating a promising avenue for further research.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, 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.