🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-07-27

Arginine Therapy for the Treatment of Pain in Children With Sickle Cell Disease (NCT02447874)

Arginine Therapy for the Treatment of Vaso-Occlusive Events in Children With Severe Sickle Cell Disease

🟢 Recruiting Phase1 / Phase2 💊 Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: Emory University

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether giving extra arginine to patients with sickle cell disease seeking treatment for vaso-occlusive painful events (VOE) will decrease pain scores, decrease need for pain medications or decrease length of hospital stay or emergency department visit.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (4 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (13 items).

Location: Children's Healthcare fo Atlanta at Hughes Spalding — Atlanta, Georgia

Age range: 7 Years to 21 Years

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Decision to discharge home from acute care setting.
  • Diagnosis of sickle cell disease with any of the following types: hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC), hemoglobin beta thalassemia (Hb-Beta Thal), hemoglobin SD disease (HbSD), hemoglobin SE disease (HbSE), hemoglobin SO disease (HbSO), hemoglobin AS carrier (Hb AS)
  • Hemoglobin less than 5 gm/dL
  • Immediate Red cell transfusion anticipated
  • Renal dysfunction: Creatinine \>1.0 or 2 x baseline
  • Mental status or neurological changes
  • Acute stroke or clinical concern for stroke
  • Pregnancy
  • Allergy to arginine
  • Previous hospitalization \< 7 days
  • Use of inhaled nitric oxide, sildenafil or arginine within the last 14 days

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • Children's Healthcare fo Atlanta at Hughes Spalding — Atlanta, Georgia
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Arthur M. Blank Hospital — Atlanta, Georgia

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (404) 785-4525

Email: Reshika.mendis@choa.org

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗