New Stable Isotope Method to Determine Protein Requirements in Critically Ill Children

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01511354
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: January 18, 2012
• Last Update Posted: October 11, 2017
• Sponsor: Texas A&M University
• Collaborator: Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Marielle PKJ Engelen, PhD, Texas A&M University

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The need for certain components of food (i.e. protein) for critically ill children is not clear. It is important to have critically ill children fed adequately to prevent that their condition becomes worse or that recovery takes longer. Research methods used in the past to investigate the need for protein (Nitrogen Balance calculations), were not sensitive enough in severely ill children. The purpose of this study is to develop a new research method to determine the need for protein in severely ill children. In order to develop this new method, more information is needed on the way the body of these children uses protein in 24-hours. In the present study during 24-hours 8 children of age less than 18 years who are admitted to either the Pediatric ICU or the Cardiovascular ICU. Subjects will receive a standard nutrition, providing an age specific amount of protein (age ≤ 3: 2.52 protein g/kg BW.d; age 4-6: 1.8 protein g/kg BW.d; age > 10: 1.44 protein g/kg BW.d) via tube feeding. They will also receive a mixture of stable isotopes of amino to investigate protein behavior in the body (protein kinetics) both by infusion in their blood and together with the nutrition. Blood will be drawn every 60 minutes during the 24-hour period and the behavior of protein and the concentrations in blood of amino acids and urea will be measured. Urine will be collected to measure nitrogen balance. The investigators will compare the results of this nitrogen balance method with the results of the stable isotope method. PIM2, PRISM, SIRS criteria will be used to get information on the severity of illness of the subjects. Also body weight and length as well as body composition of the subjects will be measured at the start and after the 24-hour period. Body composition will be measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy. Endpoints of the study are net whole-body protein synthesis (protein balance), 24-hour pattern of protein balance, 24-hour urea production, 24-hour nitrogen balance, 24-hour contribution of arginine kinetics to whole body protein breakdown, 24-hour muscle protein breakdown, splanchnic amino acid extraction and plasma amino acid concentrations.

Condition or disease
Critically Ill

Study Design

• Study Type: Observational
• Actual Enrollment: 12 participants
• Observational Model: Cohort
• Time Perspective: Prospective
• Official Title: Development of New Stable Isotope Method to Determine Protein Requirements in Critically Ill Children
• Study Start Date: February 2008
• Actual Primary Completion Date: December 2012
• Actual Study Completion Date: January 2013

Groups and Cohorts

Group/Cohort
Standard clinical care; Standard nutritional therapy and treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Whole body protein synthesis rate [ Time Frame: 24 hours ]
   Whole body protein synthesis rate in the fed state

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Whole body protein breakdown rate [ Time Frame: 24 hours ]
   Whole body protein breakdown rate in the fed state
2. Whole body protein breakdown rate [ Time Frame: 24 hours ]
   Whole body myofibrillar protein breakdown rate in the fed state
3. Whole body Arginine production rate [ Time Frame: 24 h ]
   Net whole body arginine production rate in the fed state
4. Splanchnic amino acid extraction [ Time Frame: 24 hr ]
   Splanchnic amino acid extraction in the fed state
5. Urea production [ Time Frame: 24 hr ]
   Whole body urea production in the fed state
6. Plasma amino acid levels [ Time Frame: 24 hr ]
   Plasme amino acid level in the fed state

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: up to 18 Years (Child, Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Stable critically ill children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit of ACH

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Critically ill children with age less than 18 years at the time of enrollment
2. Admitted to the Pediatric ICU or Cardiovascular ICU, with an expected stay of >72 hours
3. One arterial line (or umbilical arterial line) and one multi-lumen central venous line (or two peripheral venous catheters) in place.
4. Continuous total parenteral nutrition or continuous enteral feeding (e.g. via nasogastric, nasoduodenal, gastric, jejunal tube) with standard nutrition appropriate for age and weight expected during admission.
5. No planned major changes or interventions (such as surgery) in the treatment and care of the patient from enrollment to completion of study period (end of 24-hour stable isotope infusion protocol).
6. Hemodynamic stable condition (with or without continuous inotropic medication) defined as ≤1 boluses of volume resuscitation for hypotension in 24 hour.
7. No significant loss of plasma/blood from wounds or drains, that may influence the results of the study, no chylothorax.
8. Informed consent by parent(s) or LAR.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Congenital/acquired metabolic or endocrine disorders or hepatic or renal failure or anuria or oliguria.
2. Gastrointestinal obstructions or any condition that causes malabsorption.
3. Active gastro-intestinal bleeding.
4. Fluid restriction (<100 ml/kg BW.day) making administration of intravenous and enteral stable isotopes impossible.
5. Any other condition that according to the Principal Investigator or study physician would interfere with collecting study samples (for example isolation due to MRSA infection).

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Arkansas

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, 72202

Sponsors and Collaborators

Texas A&M University

Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Marielle P Engelen, PhD; University of Arkansas

More Information

Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

de Betue CTI, Garcia Casal XC, van Waardenburg DA, Schexnayder SM, Joosten KFM, Deutz NEP, Engelen MPKJ. 24-Hour protein, arginine and citrulline metabolism in fed critically ill children - A stable isotope tracer study. Clin Nutr. 2017 Jun;36(3):876-887. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.023. Epub 2017 Jan 4.

• Responsible Party: Marielle PKJ Engelen, PhD, PhD, Texas A&M University
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01511354
• Other Study ID Numbers: 101653
• First Posted: January 18, 2012
• Last Update Posted: October 11, 2017
• Last Verified: October 2017

Keywords provided by Marielle PKJ Engelen, PhD, Texas A&M University:

critically ill children; ICU; 24hr protein balance; stable isotopes; fed state

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Critical Illness; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes