Clinical Research Directory

PRotein Optimization With eXercise to Improve MUscle Mass and Functional outcomeS

The investigators have designed a 2-center, pilot feasibility, randomized controlled trial (PROXIMUS) to determine the feasibility and safety of a larger multi center, randomized open-label trial comparing high protein combined with individualized exercise vs. standard management during the acute phase of critical illness in children. The investigators aim to determine the impact of the intervention on preservation of muscle mass; and functional status at 1 month and 6 months after randomization.

Study of CD19 Allogeneic Memory T-cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory CD19+ Leukemia

This is a Phase I clinical study evaluating the safety and maximum tolerated dose of a novel CAR T-cell product: allogeneic memory (CD45RA- negative) T-cells expressing a CD19-specific CAR 41BBz (CD19-CAR.CD45RA- negative T-cells) for the treatment of patients ≤ 21 years old with relapsed and/ or refractory CD19-positive leukemia. Primary Objective To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and characterize the safety profile and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of treatment with allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells in pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients ≤ 21 years of age, with relapsed and/or refractory CD19-positive leukemia. Secondary Objectives * To evaluate the anti-leukemic activity of allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells. * To determine rates and severity of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after treatment with allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells. Exploratory Objectives * To study the expansion, persistence and phenotype of allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells. * To characterize the cytokine profile in the peripheral blood and CSF after treatment with allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells. * To assess whether allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells acquire functional versus exhaustion-associated epigenetic programs. * To determine immune reconstitution post treatment, and the clonal structure and endogenous repertoire of allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells and relate inferred specificity to CAR response profiles. * To characterize incidence and mechanisms of relapse post-therapy with allogeneic CD19-CAR.CD45RA-negative T-cells.

An Endotracheal Tube Inserted to the Level of the Hypopharynx

The goal of this observational study is to assess the incidence of successful ventilation using an ETT inserted orally above the vocal cords in pediatric patients undergoing surgeries. The main question it aims to answer are: Is the use of an endotracheal tube (ETT), positioned in the hypopharynx with its tip placed just above the vocal cords an easy, safe and effective way for the ventilation of pediatric patients who are undergoing surgery under general anesthesia via orotracheal intubation? The procedures to be performed in this study are standard of care. They are also used by pediatric anesthesiologists in the oral intubation of pediatric patients suffering from tumor or abscess.

Pediatric Vaccinations

As the Covid-19 pandemic hit New York City in the spring of 2020, many families were home-bound due to the city-wide lockdown. As a result, families in New York City were unable to attend their child's healthcare appointments and many young children did not receive their regularly-scheduled vaccinations. Parts of the city-wide lockdown did eventually lift in the summer of 2020 as positive Covid-19 virus rates declined in NYC. However, regularly scheduled vaccination rates (non-Covid-related) remain low. Yet, it is critical that young children receive their mandatory vaccines in a timely manner to decrease the chance of contracting preventable illnesses. Thus, the investigators seek to increase vaccination rates among children ages 0-2 years in Sunset Park Brooklyn.

RISE With Residents

Prevention of child maltreatment (CM) remains a public health priority in Canada; approximately one-third of Canadians report exposure to at least one form of CM. Physicians play an important role in recognizing and responding to CM and its associated sequelae. However, increasing evidence indicates that physicians receive insufficient training related to recognizing and responding to CM. CM education is especially pertinent during the pediatric and psychiatry residency period but it remains unclear what the optimal approach is for preparing Canadian physicians with the knowledge and skills to effectively recognize and respond to CM. Those educational interventions that have been evaluated in medical education contexts have comparatively little emphasis on the complex overlap between IPV, children's exposure to IPV, and other forms of CM. The Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action Project (VEGA) is a novel educational intervention that has the potential to improve the preparation of physicians to be able to effectively recognize and respond to CM in their clinical encounters and takes into account this complex overlap. The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a future randomized-controlled trial comparing two approaches to administering the VEGA intervention, facilitator-led or self-directed VEGA and whether/how these approaches can support residents' education. The investigators hypothesize that there will be significant increases in preparedness, knowledge and skills, and self-efficacy to recognize and respond to CM in both the experimental and AC arms from Time 1 (baseline) to Time 2 (immediately after the intervention) and Time 1 (baseline) to Time 3 (3 month follow-up). The investigators also predict that these improvements will be slightly attenuated in the experimental arm. Qualitative data pertaining to perceived value and impact will corroborate the quantitative findings.

Hospital Based Continuous Patient Monitoring System

In Ghana, and many other low and middle income countries in Africa, manual vital signs monitoring is the prevalent mode of vital signs monitoring because continuous bedside monitors are non-functional. This lack of continuous vital signs monitoring may result in missed opportunities to catch physiologic deterioration. The investigators propose to develop a dashboard that is based on the Garmin Venu 3, a consumer wearable device that reliably measures heart rate, SPO2, and respiratory rate, as an alternative to bedside monitors in hospitals in Ghana.

Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) for Treating Pediatric Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the extent to which different treatment components work to improve pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will also provide evidence for how these components work. The main research questions are: What are the effects of different components used to treat PTSD? What do these components change to produce benefits in PTSD? Researchers will: Compare components to a psychological placebo to estimate their effects and measure how they work Examine how components work alone and in conjunction with other components Participants will: Receive different combinations of components and placebo Attend weekly treatment sessions Provide information to evaluate changes in PTSD

Little NIRVANA for Pediatric Pain and Anxiety

The aim of this study is to test the feasibility of using Little NIRVANA (augmented reality (AR)) for managing anxiety and pain for children 2-8 years old during hospital emergency peripheral intravenous (PIV) insertions. The investigators hypothesize that Little NIRVANA plus a numbing cream will reduce pain and anxiety for patients undergoing PIV placement in the emergency department (ED) when compared to the cream alone. It is anticipated that using the Little NIRVANA will not increase the ED length of stay, failed PIV placement attempts, or the need for additional intervention.

Exercise MRI to Evaluate Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children With Heart Disease

There are many barriers to heart-healthy lifestyles in pediatric patients with acquired and congenital heart disease. Investigators want to further understand how participants heart and skeletal muscles work together during exercise and evaluate the impact on cardiac function. To do this, the investigators will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the heart and skeletal muscles during exercises to assess blood flow, oxygenation and function.

HIIT in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients (MedBIKE™)

Heart transplantation is the long-term treatment for children and adults with advanced heart failure. Post-transplant outcomes have improved over time, such that 50% of pediatric heart transplant recipients (HTR) remain alive with a need for re-transplantation 17-years following the initial transplant. With improved short- and medium-term outcomes, focus has shifted towards optimizing long-term survival and reducing transplant-associated morbidities. This includes strategies aimed at optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels. Pediatric and adult HTRs have reduced exercise capacity compared with the general population. Previous groups have shown gradual improvements in heart rate response to exercise and exercise capacity in pediatric HTRs. However, after an initial improvement, exercise capacity appears to plateau, or even decline in pediatric HTRs, and remains sub-optimal compared with the general population. Most exercise interventions in HTRs to date have focused on moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), with some resistance components incorporated. More recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), consisting of short, intense bursts of exercise with rest periods, has been explored in the adult HTR population, with findings to date suggesting that it may yield greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness compared with MICE. Exercise interventions, particularly HIIT interventions, have consistently shown clinically important improvements in exercise capacity in adult HTRs that are linked with improved long-term post-transplant outcomes and well-being. Unfortunately, trials of exercise interventions in pediatric HTRs remain lacking. This study team is proposing an assessment of the feasibility of a home-based HIIT exercise program using a novel telemedicine-enable video game linked customizable cycle ergometer (MedBIKE™).

Study of the Efficacy of Moderate Sedation With Intra-NAsal Dexmedetomidine Monitored by EEG MOnitoring

This is a prospective, monocentric diagnostic study aiming to evaluate whether a sedation score obtained by a per-procedural electroencephalogram (EEG), the PSI score, could identify patients for whom a 2 μg/kg dose of DEX would not be sufficient for the successful performance of cerebral NMRI, and who could therefore benefit from a higher dosage of DEX (4 μg/kg).

Pediatric Normative Markerless Movement Analysis

The objective of this project is to collect baseline data from a normative population of 20 children that gender and age matches the population of patients expected to be treated by Mary Bridge Children's Research \& Movement Lab.

The Occurrence of Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Strabismus Surgery

The present trial conducted to demonstrate the administration of sugammadex as reversal of neuromuscular blockade agent reduces the incidence of emergence agitation (EA) comparing to neostigmine

Innovative Prosthetic Systems for Pediatric Limb Loss to Accommodate Growth

An immediate fit adjustable prosthetic system is being investigated for children. The age range being recruited is from 3 years up to 18 years old. Phase I of this study will involve developing a final prototype by conducting in-lab testing on children with limb loss. Phase II will involve a two month home trial to further evaluate the comfort and usability of the socket. Outcome measures include a PEQ-based questionnaire, socket pressure measures and gait analysis.

HIIT in Youth With Congenital Heart Disease (MedBIKE)

Congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common birth defect, is present in nearly 1% of the population. CHD patients are associated with intense resource utilization and premature death in adulthood. The risk of premature death is linked with reduced exercise capacity, a finding consistently noted in youth with CHD. Reduced exercise capacity in this population has also been associated with reduce physical activity and health-related quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in adults with acquired heart disease is an established secondary prevention strategy that improves exercise capacity. The investigators propose a prospective clinical trial of a home-based high intensity interval training (HIIT) program using a novel telemedicine-equipped video game-linked cycle ergometer (MedBIKE™) for 10 to 18 year olds with repaired moderate-complex CHD. The pilot study with the MedBIKE has shown promising results. The investigators now seek to study the efficacy of this program in a broader CHD population.

Pharmacokinetics of Drugs Administered to Children

This is a prospective study of children \<21 years of age with the goal of characterizing the PK of drugs administered per standard of care as prescribed by the treating caregiver.

Evaluation of Pediatric eCART Implementation

This is a study comparing 3 years of retrospective data (pre-implementation) to 2 years of prospective data after the implementation of a pediatric version of Electronic Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (pediatric eCART), a clinical decision support (CDS) tool that uses electronic health records (EHR) to identify patients with high risk for life threatening outcomes. Up to 30,000 encounters with pediatric patients will be assessed. Acceptability of the pediatric eCART intervention will also be measured from pediatric nurse clinicians.

Long-Term Follow-up of Patients Treated With Miltenyi Cell and Gene Therapies

The goal of this Long-Term Follow-Up Trial is to assess long-term safety and efficacy of Miltenyi CAR T treatment.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Implant Safety & Efficacy

Implant devices are important tools - their use is essential across a number of orthopaedic indications, including hip conditions, trauma and limb deformity. Given the vital role fixation devices play in maintaining alignment, promoting healthy bone healing and preventing joint degeneration, it is essential to understand the expected lifetime outcomes of these implants, and evaluate their safety and efficacy. Prospective implant efficacy and safety registries are needed to support this endeavour, especially considering new regulatory requirements from the European Union Medical Devices Regulation (EU MDR) in relation to post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF).

VR-PAT and fNIRS to Identify CNS Biomarkers of Pain

This study aims to use functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to identify and quantify pain biomarkers during burn dressing changes and pain relief induced by virtual reality (VR).

PANDA Gym: Automated Assessment of Neurodevelopment in Infants at Risk for Motor Disability

Early childhood detection of motor delays or impairments provides the opportunity for early treatment which improves health outcomes. This study will use state of the art sensors combined with machine learning algorithms to develop objective, accurate, easy-to-use tools for the early scoring of deficits and lays the foundation for the early prediction of physical disability.

Multicenter Study on Rehabilitation Medical Data for Pediatric Big Brain Development

Retrospective study for development of imaging-genetics (brain imaging/genome big data) models and algorithms that are clinically explainable and have high predictive performance in brain research on pediatric developmental disorders

Evaluating the Relationship Between Skin Color and Pulse Oximeter Accuracy in Children

This multisite study seeks to understand whether and how pulse oximeter accuracy varies across children with different skin colors in real world clinical settings. Many factors can affect how well pulse oximeters work; for example, movement and even fingernail polish. Some studies in adults show that skin color may also affect the pulse oximeter reading. In this study, we will explore pulse oximeter accuracy in children of all skin colors who are undergoing cardiac catheterizations. The study will address limitations of prior work by objectively measuring skin color across multiple dimensions of color and comparing the the pulse oximeter reading to the "gold standard" blood sample measurement.

Safety Study to Evaluate the Occurrence of EFAD in Pediatric Patients With PNAC Who Require More Than Eight Weeks of Omegaven Treatment

This study will demonstrate safety in pediatric patients with Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis treated with Omegaven®, which is indicated as a source of calories and fatty acids in this patient population