Carotid Doppler and echocardiography to predict fluid response in children with septic shock

Prediction of Fluid Responsiveness in Paediatric Patients With Septic Shock Using Carotid Doppler Ultrasonography and Echocardiography

Observational Ain Shams University · NCT07136532

We will test whether carotid Doppler ultrasound and echocardiography can tell which children with septic shock will respond to fluid treatment.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages1 Month to 16 Years
SexAll
SponsorAin Shams University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cairo)
Trial IDNCT07136532 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project enrolls children with septic shock admitted to the PICU and measures clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound parameters during the fluid resuscitation phase. Bedside echocardiography will record stroke volume, stroke volume index, cardiac index, aortic peak velocity, and VTI variation, while carotid Doppler and IVC collapsibility/distensibility indices will also be obtained. Clinical vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, capillary refill, CVP) and routine labs (blood counts, gases, lactate, CRP, kidney function, albumin, fibrinogen) are collected before and after fluid resuscitation. The imaging and clinical data will be compared to determine which measures best predict fluid responsiveness in children aged 1 month to 16 years.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children aged 1 month to 16 years with septic shock admitted to the PICU during the fluid resuscitation phase who do not have major cardiac, renal, vascular, or neck anatomical problems.

Not a fit: Patients with congenital or acquired heart or renal disease, major vascular anomalies, suspected intracranial hypertension, or skin/neck conditions that prevent ultrasound are excluded and unlikely to benefit from the findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors give the right amount of fluid to children with septic shock and reduce harm from under- or over-resuscitation.

How similar studies have performed: Similar Doppler and echocardiographic measures have shown promise for predicting fluid responsiveness in adults and in small pediatric series, but robust pediatric evidence is still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria :

* Children aged 1 month to 16 years.
* Patients with septic shock admitted at the PICU during their fluid resuscitative phase were included.Septic shock was diagnosed according to phoenix sepsis score 2024

  • Exclusion criteria:
* Acquired and congenital heart disease.
* Acquired and congenital renal disease.
* Vascular anomalies (e.g. arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm).
* Suspected intracranial hypertension.
* Skin lesions or bandages at the sites of ultrasound or echo-cardiography examinations.
* Anatomical anomalies of the neck.

Where this trial is running

Cairo

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 Septic ShockEchocardiography Guided Fluid Managementpediatric septic shockechocardiographycarotid doppler
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.