Dexmedetomidine Versus Morphine During Cooling Therapy in Neonates (NCT06985290) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 2
Dexmedetomidine Versus Morphine During Cooling Therapy in Neonates
Canada50 participantsStarted 2025-07-01
Plain-language summary
About \~3/ 1000 live-born newborns may suffer from brain injury due to a transient drop in oxygen supply to the brain during the birth process. The degree of brain injury that ensues in the first 72 hours after the injury is directly proportional to the severity of long-term childhood disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy and developmental delays). Whole-body cooling during the first 3 days of life is proven effective in reducing the severity of brain injury. However, cooling therapy leads to pain, shivering, stress, and discomfort. The best way to alleviate the pain and agitation of cooled newborns is unknown. Standard practice is to provide morphine infusion to reduce pain. Recently, a new drug called "dexmedetomidine" has been tested in small studies and has been found to be safe during cooling in newborns. Dexmedetomidine has added beneficial effects such as anti-inflammation, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays. This study is going to test the feasibility of conducting a future clinical trial to compare the effects of using Dexmedetomidine versus morphine in the management of cooling-related pain/agitation on the severity of brain injury in the first week of life. The study will also examine the effect of dexmedetomidine compared to morphine on short-term clinical outcomes, parental experiences and developmental outcomes at 1 year.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Hours
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
. Gestational age \>= 35 weeks
. Birth weight \>= 2500g
. Sign of perinatal hypoxic event (any of the following): (a) Arterial Cord blood gas or postnatal gas within 1 hour of life pH \<= 7.00 OR Base Deficit \>= 16 (b) Arterial Cord blood gas postnatal gas within 1 hour of life pH 7.00 -7.15 AND Acute sentinel intrapartum event
. Sign of Neonatal Encephalopathy
. Initiation of Therapeutic Hypothermia within 8 hours of life
Exclusion criteria
. Informed consent not obtained within 20 hours of life
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
1
Recruitment Rate
Timeframe: Day 1
2
Follow Up Rate
Timeframe: From enrollment to 1 year of age
3
Adverse Event Rate
Timeframe: From enrollment to 7 days of life
4
Discontinuation Rate
Timeframe: From enrollment to 7 days of life
5
Protocol Adherence Rate
Timeframe: through study completion, average 1 year