300,000+ clinical trials. Find the right one.

44 active trials for Pediatric ALL

Neurophysiological Measurements Using the NeuroCatch™ Platform in Pediatric Concussion

EEG signals have been collected and studied since the early 1990's as a way of assessing brain function at a gross level. As early as the 1930's a derivative of the raw EEG signal - event-related potentials (ERPs) - have been computed. The current research is primarily focused on three ERP components: the N100, P300 and N400. Each of the three ERPs have been studied in the academic laboratory for multiple decades. Through this research, a strong understanding has been developed regarding what can affect these components (e.g. task set, emotional state, etc.). However, these signals within various pediatric populations (e.g., those with persistent mTBI symptoms or multiple concussions) are not well characterized. Being able to safely and effectively employ the NeuroCatch™ Platform in a post-concussive pediatric cohort could provide researchers with the potential to elucidate the persistence of objective measures of impairment, patterns of recovery, and chronicity of problems due to mTBI in children. Secondly, understanding the degree to which these neurophysiological components fluctuate over time is crucial to the understanding of brain functioning. However, for this type of technology to be useful in quantifying brain health in this population,the degree to which a post-concussive pediatric brain naturally fluctuates in its processing capability must be quantified. NeuroCatch™ Platform has the ability to measure changes in several domains of brain function. These cognitive processes are foundational blocks for some of the highest cognitive processes: information integration and executive functioning.

Start: November 2018
Healthy Bones, Healthy Life

Childhood cancer treatments are increasingly effective, leading to dramatic improvements in survival rates. These treatments often have devastating effects on the overall health of pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) since they occur during a critical time of bone growth, including increased risks of poor bone health, fracture, and diabetes. In normal child development, physical activity habits influence bone density and structure, which affect bone strength in adulthood. Despite this well-understood principle of bone development, there are no exercise guidelines for improving bone health in PCS. The long-term goal of this research is to develop an effective exercise intervention to improve bone health after cancer therapy. As a first step, the investigators propose to test the hypothesis that the intensity and amount of ground impact of a child's daily physical activity will influence changes in bone density in PCS. The Specific Aims are to (1) examine the effect of physical activity on lumbar bone density of PCS and to (2) evaluate how physical activity influences bone density. In a prospective cohort study, the investigators will enroll 38 pediatric and adolescent survivors (ages 5-18) of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma at any post-treatment time point. Aim 1: At two assessments, baseline and six months later, bone density and structure (by DXA scan, a type of x-ray that can measure bone density and the amount of muscle and fat in the body) and physical activity level (by accelerometry, a device like a fitness tracker) will be evaluated. Each child will be categorized as having low or high physical activity based on accelerometry measures averaged from baseline and six-month assessments. Bone changes (0-6 months) will be compared between low and high activity groups. Aim 2: Evaluate potential mechanisms by which physical activity mediates changes in bone, including the effects of lean mass (measured by DXA) and metabolic health (lipid panel, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, hemoglobin A1c), vitamin D). Long-term impact: This research will provide information as to the types of exercise that impact bone health in PCS. This study will help develop effective, evidence-based exercise therapies. These therapies may help prevent fractures and associated disability, leading to an improvement in the quality of life for survivors of pediatric cancer.

Start: November 2020
Singapore's Health Outcomes After Critical Illness in Kids

What is the problem? Every year about 2.5 million children are affected by critical illness and require admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). However, both children and their parents may encounter difficulties after critical illness. Children affected physically may have difficulties in breathing, eating, and drinking. Parents have reported feeling symptoms of stress such as nightmares and excessive worries after PICU discharge. Currently, the investigators do not know when and how the problems unfold and what harm does it cause. Without this information, healthcare professionals are not equipped to support these families after PICU discharge. Research Plan? To understand how critical illness could affect the physical, emotional, and social experiences of children age 1 month to 18 years of age and their parents in the first 6 months after a PICU admission. 144 children and their parents will be followed from the time of PICU admission to 6 months after discharge. Children and their parents will complete surveys to measure physical, social, emotional and function outcomes. A total of 12 families will be interviewed at 1 and 3 months after PICU discharge. Using the data provided to map out any trend or changes in this information over time. Why is this study important? To better understand the experience and health consequences of children and their parents in the first six months after PICU admission. This information would help to identify potential areas to improve the negative consequence of children and their families after a severe illness. Results will be shared to the PICU survivors and their families, national organizations, international pediatric intensive care community to improve the experiences and health outcomes following a PICU admission.

Start: January 2021
Comparing Body Composition Assessment Methods

Background: Improvement in clinical care has resulted in longer life expectancy of children with intestinal failure (IF). However, recent data indicate that their body composition (BC) is abnormal with a relatively high fat mass (FM) and low fat free mass (FFM). Abnormal BC is linked to poor prognosis and increased length of hospital stay; yet BC is not assessed in pediatric clinical practice. Instead, growth charts which lack sensitivity to detect changes in BC are used. Physical activity (PA) is the most important predictor of FFM and increased PA contributes to decreased FM. Decreased PA in childhood is associated with increased FM and decreased FFM which are linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is considered the reference method for measuring BC in the clinical setting but it is expensive and not suitable for routine use. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) on the other hand is relatively inexpensive and non-invasive but needs to be validated for use in patients with IF. Objectives: 1) validate BIA against DXA as a clinical tool for monitoring changes in BC in children with IF, 2) quantify PA levels using activity counts from accelerometers and 3) assess strength. Design: 1-18 years, with IF followed by the intestinal rehabilitation program at SickKids. All subjects receiving a DXA for routine clinical monitoring are eligible. BIA and muscle strength will be measured in clinic. Demographic data and IF related factors including height, weight, PN prescription, age, diagnosis, bowel length and length of time off PN for those who have achieved enteral autonomy will be obtained. DXA measurement will be done by Diagnostic Imaging at SickKids. Patients will be fitted with an accelerometer to be worn for 7 days. Statistics: Differences between sexes will be assessed by t test. Relationship between PA and BC, and BC and muscular strength will be assessed by linear regression analysis. Agreement between DXA and BIA will be assessed using a Bland-Altman test. Significance will be set at p<0.05. Significance: This study has the potential to establish BIA as a convenient clinical tool to assess BC and provide a more accurate basis for nutritional and PA prescriptions to optimize long-term outcomes and quality of life in IF patients.

Start: October 2020
Measuring Thickness of the Normal Diaphragm in Children Via Ultrasound.

Critically ill children treated with invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) may suffer from complications leading to prolonged duration of ventilation and PICU stay. Prolonged ventilation is associated with haemodynamic dysfunction, neuromuscular insufficiency, malnutrition, metabolic disorders and diaphragmatic muscle weakness. Evidence from adult critical care supports the existence of ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, defined as a iMV-induced loss of diaphragmatic force - generating capacity - characterised by muscle fibre atrophy, myofibril necrosis and disorganization. Diaphragm function or contractility can be assessed by measuring the diaphragm thickening during inspiration and expiration with ultrasound and is expressed as a thickening fraction (TF). A low diaphragm contractile activity in adults has been associated with rapid decreases in diaphragm thickness, whereas high contractile activity has been associated with increases in diaphragm thickness. Contractile activity decreased with increasing ventilator driving pressure and controlled ventilator mode. Maximal thickening fraction (a measure of diaphragm function) was lower in patients with decreased as well as increased diaphragm thickness than in patients with unchanged thickness (p=0.05). Titrating ventilatory support to maintain normal levels of inspiratory effort may prevent changes in diaphragm configuration associated with iMV, but more research is needed to confirm this supposition. Only one study has shown the presence of diaphragm atrophy in critically ill children on iMV for acute respiratory failure. The diaphragm contractility, measured as thickening fraction, was strongly correlated with a spontaneous breathing fraction. Norm data for diaphragmatic thickness and TF in children are only available for healthy neonates (n=15) and children (n=48) from 8 till 20 years of age. The purpose of this study is to determine values of normal diaphragm thickness and TF in children aged 0-8 years by ultrasound. This age range reflects the largest patient group treated in the PICU. Once these values are known, the clinical relevance of the measuring of the diaphragm thickness of ventilated children by ultrasound can be further studied. Objective of the study: Primary objective: To determine diaphragm thickness and thickening fraction in healthy children below or equal to 8 years of age. Secondary objective: To determine the interrater reliability of operators performing the ultra-sound Study design: prospective, cohort study. Study population: Healthy children in four age groups: 0-6 months; 6 months-1 year; 2-4 years; and 5-8 years. Participants will be recruited in two ways: Group 1. Parents of children scheduled to undergo a daycare procedure will asked permission for their child to join the study. These children undergo a minor procedure and are assumed to have a normal diaphragm; therefore are considered 'healthy''. Group 2. Health professionals working on the PICU or other departments of Erasmus MC-Sophia as well as family, friends and neighbours of members of the research group will be asked to recruit 'healthy' children. The investigators will recruit participants by means of brochures in which children and/or caregivers are invited to contact the researchers when interested to participate in this study. Primary study parameters/outcome of the study: To determine diaphragm thickness and thickening fraction in healthy children below or equal to 8 years of age. Secondary study parameters/outcome of the study (if applicable): To determine the interrater reliability of operators performing the ultra-sound

Start: September 2020