Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic EncephalopathyPhase 3NCT05648812
Neonatal Brain Ultrasound With CEUS and Elastography
A Phase 3 study testing Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography and Sulfur Hexafluoride in people with Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Neonatal Stroke, run by Turku University Hospital at 1 site in Finland.
Trial summary
The aim of our study is to investigate changes of brain perfusion and elasticity in neonates during the time that a neonate is adapting to live outside the womb and during diseases that are suspected to affect neonatal brain perfusion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 1 minute to 6 months
- Conditions the study is for
- Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neonatal Stroke, Neonatal Encephalopathy, Unspecified
- What is being tested?
- Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography and Sulfur Hexafluoride
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFinland
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2024to Dec 2029
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 1 minute to 6 months
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Babies less than 7 months treated at the neonatal units of Turku University hospital
Who cannot join
- Pre-known genetic disease
- Difficult congenital malformations that need surgical treatment
- Central nervous system tumors
- Weight less than 2,5 kg during examination
- Medical history of SonoVue hypersensitivity
- Uncontrolled systemic hypertension
- Systolic pulmonary artery pressure > 90 mmHg
- Unstable cardiovascular state
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Finland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Turku University Hospital
Turku, Southwestern Finland, 20520
Tiina Laurikainen, MD
About this study
Official title: Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound and Elastography of the Neonatal Brain
The aim of our study is to investigate changes of brain perfusion and elasticity in neonates during the time that a neonate is adapting to live outside the womb and during diseases that are suspected to affect neonatal brain perfusion. We use contrast enhanced ultrasound (sulphur hexafluoride) and ultrasound-assisted elastography to evaluate the state of brain perfusion. We will study neonates recruited from the Neonatal Units of Turku University Hospital.
Read the detailed description
SonoVue (sulphur hexafluoride) is a contrast agent composed of micro bubbles. It increases echogenicity of the ultrasound thus enhancing the visualisation of vessels and giving better insights into tissue perfusion. The use of sulphur hexafluoride has been approved by FDA and it has been in off-label use in Europe for years. SonoVue is thought to be especially useful for children, because it can enhance the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound and the examination can be performed without radiation or sedation.
Elastography is a method to investigate the elasticity of a tissue by tracking the shear waves generated by the ultrasound beam. Also this method has been used in Europe and America for years.
The aim of our study is to examine cerebral hemodynamics in neonates using ultrasound of the brain, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography (US-SWE). We aim to recruit four groups of infants: those with no suspected diseases affecting brain perfusion on the first days after birth and infants with either asphyctic injury, stroke or other diseases affecting central nervous system. Total recruitment for different groups is 100 infants in total, during this first study phase. The recruitment period will be up to seven years if needed.
The injections of SonoVue will be administered through pre-existing venous cannulas. The first examination after brain injury will be done as soon as the parental consent has been given. The ultrasound examination altogether is estimated to take about 20 minutes per day. Safety monitoring period is conducted after the injection. The studies will be repeated 0-4 times according to the approval of the caretakers of the child and the disease the child is affected by. CEUS data will be analysed with proper software. US-SWE will be measured repeatedly on both brain hemispheres and on different areas to validate the measurements.
- Conditions
- Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neonatal Stroke, Neonatal Encephalopathy, Unspecified
- Being tested
- Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, Sulfur Hexafluoride
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastographyDiagnostic test
To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography
Sulfur HexafluorideDrug
Also called SonoVue
To evaluate the differences in brain perfusion studied by CEUS, comparing different patient groups and babies with no suspected brain pathology
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Term neonates | Active comparator | Diagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, cardiac ultrasound To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in infants with no suspected brain pathology using CEUS. Later, different patient groups could be compared to infants with no suspected brain pathology.
Other Names:
• SonoVue Receives: Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography; Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride |
| Neonatal asphyxia | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in neonates after birth asphyxia
Other Names:
• SonoVue Receives: Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography; Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride |
| Neonatal stroke | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion after neonatal stroke
Other Names:
• SonoVue Receives: Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography; Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride |
| Other neonatal brain pathologies | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in infants with other type (no asphyxia, stroke or preterm birth related) of brain pathology, like hydrocephalus, hemorrhage or central nervous system infection
Other Names:
• SonoVue Receives: Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography; Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Repeated qualitative and quantitative assessment of neonatal brain perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the brain
Visual assessment of contrast enhancement on both brain hemispheres. Quantitative analysis of proper ultrasound parameters, such as wash-in and wash-out curves, during the adaptive period and during different brain pathologies and their treatment.
Measured: 20 days
Secondary outcomes (2)
Repeated qualitative assessment of neonatal brain elasticity using ultrasound-guided shear wave elastography
Quantitative analysis of repeated US-SWE measurements on both hemispheres and areas of interest estimated by brain ultrasound and CEUS
Measured: 20 days
Comparing the brain perfusion in neonates with no diseases affecting brain perfusion and neonates with different brain pathologies
Quantitative analysis of proper contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters, such as wash-in and wash-out curves, in neonates with normal brain perfusion compared to neonates with different brain pathologies.
Measured: 20 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Dec 2022
- Study start1 Jan 2024
- Primary completionJul 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic EncephalopathyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Turku University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Turku University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tiina Laurikainen, Turku University Hospital
- Investigators
- Tiina Laurikainen, Principal investigator, Turku University HospitalRiitta Parkkola, Study director, Turku University HospitalVilhelmiina Parikka, Study chair, Turku University HospitalJussi Hirvonen, Study chair, Turku University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05648812
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TL16102021
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Dec 2022
- Last updated
- 15 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound and Elastography of the Neonatal Brain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05648812
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TL16102021
- Conditions
- Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neonatal Stroke, Neonatal Encephalopathy, Unspecified
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Turku University HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jul 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of our study is to investigate changes of brain perfusion and elasticity in neonates during the time that a neonate is adapting to live outside the womb and during diseases that are suspected to affect neonatal brain perfusion. We use contrast enhanced ultrasound (sulphur hexafluoride) and ultrasound-assisted elastography to evaluate the state of brain perfusion. We will study neonates recruited from the Neonatal Units of Turku University Hospital.
Detailed description
SonoVue (sulphur hexafluoride) is a contrast agent composed of micro bubbles. It increases echogenicity of the ultrasound thus enhancing the visualisation of vessels and giving better insights into tissue perfusion. The use of sulphur hexafluoride has been approved by FDA and it has been in off-label use in Europe for years. SonoVue is thought to be especially useful for children, because it can enhance the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound and the examination can be performed without radiation or sedation.
Elastography is a method to investigate the elasticity of a tissue by tracking the shear waves generated by the ultrasound beam. Also this method has been used in Europe and America for years.
The aim of our study is to examine cerebral hemodynamics in neonates using ultrasound of the brain, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography (US-SWE). We aim to recruit four groups of infants: those with no suspected diseases affecting brain perfusion on the first days after birth and infants with either asphyctic injury, stroke or other diseases affecting central nervous system. Total recruitment for different groups is 100 infants in total, during this first study phase. The recruitment period will be up to seven years if needed.
The injections of SonoVue will be administered through pre-existing venous cannulas. The first examination after brain injury will be done as soon as the parental consent has been given. The ultrasound examination altogether is estimated to take about 20 minutes per day. Safety monitoring period is conducted after the injection. The studies will be repeated 0-4 times according to the approval of the caretakers of the child and the disease the child is affected by. CEUS data will be analysed with proper software. US-SWE will be measured repeatedly on both brain hemispheres and on different areas to validate the measurements.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Term neonates | Active comparator | Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, Drug: Sulfur HexafluorideDiagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, cardiac ultrasound To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in infants with no suspected brain pathology using CEUS. Later, different patient groups could be compared to infants with no suspected brain pathology. Other Names: • SonoVue |
| Neonatal asphyxia | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, Drug: Sulfur HexafluorideDiagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in neonates after birth asphyxia Other Names: • SonoVue |
| Neonatal stroke | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, Drug: Sulfur HexafluorideDiagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion after neonatal stroke Other Names: • SonoVue |
| Other neonatal brain pathologies | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography, Drug: Sulfur HexafluorideDiagnostic Test: Brain ultrasound, brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography To study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride To evaluate brain perfusion in infants with other type (no asphyxia, stroke or preterm birth related) of brain pathology, like hydrocephalus, hemorrhage or central nervous system infection Other Names: • SonoVue |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 1 minute to 6 months
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Babies less than 7 months treated at the neonatal units of Turku University hospital
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Pre-known genetic disease
- Difficult congenital malformations that need surgical treatment
- Central nervous system tumors
- Weight less than 2,5 kg during examination
- Medical history of SonoVue hypersensitivity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastographyTo study brain perfusion with brain ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound of the brain and ultrasound-guided shear-wave elastography | Diagnostic test | Neonatal asphyxia, Neonatal stroke, Other neonatal brain pathologies, Term neonates |
| Sulfur HexafluorideAlso: SonoVueTo evaluate the differences in brain perfusion studied by CEUS, comparing different patient groups and babies with no suspected brain pathology | Drug | Neonatal asphyxia, Neonatal stroke, Other neonatal brain pathologies, Term neonates |
Primary outcome
Repeated qualitative and quantitative assessment of neonatal brain perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the brain
Time frame: 20 days
Visual assessment of contrast enhancement on both brain hemispheres. Quantitative analysis of proper ultrasound parameters, such as wash-in and wash-out curves, during the adaptive period and during different brain pathologies and their treatment.
2 secondary outcomes
Repeated qualitative assessment of neonatal brain elasticity using ultrasound-guided shear wave elastography
Time frame: 20 days
Comparing the brain perfusion in neonates with no diseases affecting brain perfusion and neonates with different brain pathologies
Time frame: 20 days
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Levetiracetam as an Adjuvant Therapy to Hypothermia in Neonatal Asphyxia
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A Dose Escalation Study of Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Neonatal Seizures
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RecruitingObservational study
Continuous Monitoring of Body Temperature in Neonates During Therapeutic Hypothermia
Therapeutic Hypothermia, Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Tiina Laurikainen principal investigator
Turku University Hospital
Riitta Parkkola study director
Turku University Hospital
Vilhelmiina Parikka study chair
Turku University Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Brain contrast enhanced ultrasound, brain ultrasound elastography and Sulfur Hexafluoride in people with Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Neonatal Stroke, run by Turku University Hospital at 1 site in Finland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Finland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tiina Laurikainen (+35823135941, tiina.laurikainen@tyks.fi), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Repeated qualitative and quantitative assessment of neonatal brain perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the brain (time frame: 20 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Jan 2026.