Using sodium bicarbonate locks to prevent infections in children with intestinal failure

Sodium Bicarb Locks in Intestinal Failure

PHASE2 · University of Iowa · NCT05813535

This study is testing if using a sodium bicarbonate solution in catheters can help prevent infections in children who need these catheters for nutritional support due to intestinal failure.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages1 Year to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Iowa (other)
Locations1 site (Iowa City, Iowa)
Trial IDNCT05813535 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on children with intestinal failure who require central venous catheters for nutritional support. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using an 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution as a catheter lock to reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Participants will have the sodium bicarbonate lock applied daily when the catheter is not in use, and it will be removed when the catheter is needed for nutrition or hydration. The study will monitor the incidence of infections in these patients over the course of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children under 18 years old with intestinal failure who have a central venous catheter and a history of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a central venous catheter or those without a history of catheter-related bloodstream infections may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the risk of infections in children with intestinal failure who rely on central venous catheters.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of sodium bicarbonate locks is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in reducing infection rates with other catheter lock solutions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subject fulfills diagnosis of intestinal failure with a central venous catheter in place used daily on outpatient basis for intravenous nutrition and /or intravenous hydration
* Subject is less than 18 years of age at the time of study entry
* Subject with history of at least 1 documented catheter related blood stream infection (verified by blood culture)

Where this trial is running

Iowa City, Iowa

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Intestinal Failure, CRBSI - Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.