UnknownNot Applicable

Ultrasound Assisted Lumbar Puncture in the Neonate

United States190 participantsStarted 2016-09

Plain-language summary

Clinicians are often unable to successfully do a spinal tap. Ultrasound has been proposed as a method to improve success but it is not known if it helps. This study is designed to see if ultrasound improves the success rate.

Who can participate

Age range

6 Months

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Neonates and infants aged ≤6 months
. Clinical indication for a lumbar puncture (LP), as determined by the clinical team
. Availability of study personnel to perform bedside ultrasound

Exclusion criteria

. Known spinal cord abnormality (for e.g., tethered cord, spina bifida)
. Presence of skin and soft tissue infection at insertion site
. Recent failed LP traumatic LP attempts within the preceding 48 hours
. Recent diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage, within the preceding 7 days
. Clinically unstable patient, as determined by the clinical team
. Eligible patients on the resident care team

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Proportion of successful first attempt LPs

Timeframe: Up to 30 minutes

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02918149

SponsorChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-06

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Lumbar Puncture trials