Analyzing neutrophils in children with sepsis

Neutrophil Phenotypic Profiling and Organ Injury Assessment in Patients With Sepsis

Observational Boston Children's Hospital · NCT04103268

This study looks at the white blood cells in children with sepsis to see how they differ from those in healthy kids, hoping to find clues for better treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment72 (estimated)
Ages1 Month to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorBoston Children's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT04103268 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the characteristics of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in the blood of children diagnosed with sepsis. Sepsis is a severe infection that can lead to organ damage, and understanding the role of neutrophils in this process is crucial for developing potential therapies. The study will involve comparing neutrophil profiles in septic patients to those in healthy children undergoing elective surgeries. By identifying the changes in neutrophil behavior during sepsis, researchers hope to uncover insights that could lead to better treatment strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children under 18 years old who are diagnosed with sepsis or are scheduled for elective surgical procedures.

Not a fit: Patients with congenital cardiac disease or those on chronic immunosuppressive drugs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved therapies that mitigate organ injury in children suffering from sepsis.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of neutrophil profiling in pediatric sepsis is novel, similar studies in adult populations have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria Patients will be eligible for enrollment as septic patients if they

* Are \< 18 years old
* Meet the definition of sepsis described in the study design section above. Patients will be eligible for enrollment as control patients if they
* Are \< 18 years old
* Are scheduled for an elective surgical procedure and need preoperative blood draw or will have an intravenous catheter placed for the purpose of their surgical procedure.

Exclusion criteria Patients will be ineligible for enrollment in either control or sepsis group if any of the followings is present or anticipated

* Congenital cardiac disease
* On chronic immunosuppressive drugs such as chronic corticosteroid use, or preexisting immunodeficiency diseases

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sepsis
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.