Clinical Trials

Completed

Nutritional Outcomes After Vitamin A Supplementation in Subjects With SCD

This study establishes the safety and efficacy of vit A supplementation doses (3000 and 6000 IU/d) over 8 weeks in children with SCD-SS, ages 9 and older and test the impact of vit A supplementation on key functional and clinical outcomes. Additionally, vitamin A status is assessed in healthy children ages 9 and older to compare to subjects with SCD-SS.

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Completed

Treatment of Sickle Cell Patients Hospitalized in Pain Crisis With Prophylactic Dose Low-molecular-weight Heparin (LMWH) Versus Placebo

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide and exhibits highest frequency in people of African descent. Patients with SCD currently have few treatment options, with hydroxyurea being the only medication approved to reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and prevent other SCD complications such as acute chest syndrome. Once patients develop VOC, hospitalizations aim to alleviate pain; no specific therapy is currently available to otherwise affect the course of the VOC.

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Completed

Feasibility and Efficacy of a Home-based, Computerized Cognitive Training Program in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Disease-related neurocognitive deficits are common in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD). These deficits can significantly disrupt otherwise normal trajectories toward academic and vocational achievement and negatively impact psychosocial outcomes. Despite widespread recognition of neurocognitive deficits, there are no treatments shown to maintain or recover functioning once a child with SCD endures neuronal damage. Cognitive training (CT) has been a standard intervention used to stabilize and recover functioning in individuals with accidental or disease-related brain injury.

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Recruiting

Cerebrovascular Reactivity Measurements With High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography

The purpose of the study protocol is to identify imaging biomarkers for brain tissue under high metabolic stress at risk for permanent injury. We will measure oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in participants with and without perturbations in cerebral oxygen delivery over time to determine each parameter's role in clinical and radiologic neurologic outcomes. Measuring OEF can be done with specialized MRI sequences. Measuring CVR requires a vasoactive response, such as carbon dioxide.

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Recruiting

A Pilot Study on Neuroimaging in SCD: Part of The Boston Consortium to Cure Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) impairs oxygen transport to tissue and causes endothelial injury. Thus, therapeutic interventions aim to improve both, but there is an unmet need for biomarkers to determine when intervention is necessary and evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen intervention in individual patients. This study proposes to monitor SCD and its treatment through their impact on cerebral hemodynamics, as the brain is one of the most vulnerable and consequential targets of the disease.

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Recruiting

Gene Therapy Communication: Use of a Needs Assessment to Drive Decision-AIDS for Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases (GENETX)

This prospective mixed-method interview study aims to qualitatively describe the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases among patients and parents of children with a rare disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy techniques. Using learned insights, the team will develop an online platform providing educational content and patient decision aids for patients and their families.

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Completed

Increasing Documentation and Disclosure of Sickle Cell Trait Status: An Implementation Science Approach

The hemoglobinopathy newborn screen (NBS) performed on all neonates in the U.S. allows for early life-saving medical care for infants with sickle cell disease (SCD), an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. Because of its detection method, the NBS incidentally reveals hemoglobinopathy traits including sickle cell trait (SCT). In an effort to uphold the rights of the newborn to their medical data and preserve autonomy in medical decision making, pediatric and genetic society guidelines recommend disclosure and documentation of SCT results during infancy.

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