What is PLUTO?
Plasma-Lyte Usage and assessment of kidney Transplant Outcomes in children
PLUTO is a research study which aims to find out which fluid is best to give children and young people after a kidney transplant operation. This research will compare the ‘standard’ fluid used after the transplant operation with an alternative (called Plasma-Lyte), which may reduce abnormalities in salt (sodium) levels and help the transplant kidney to work better.
Why are we doing this?
The fluid used as ‘standard’ actually varies throughout the UK. Doctors use a combination of different strengths of saline (water mixed with salt), and a fluid called Hartmann’s (which also contains potassium and lactate). The alternative fluid is called Plasma-Lyte, which matches the normal composition of the blood more closely than the fluids which are being used currently. Although there are good reasons to believe that Plasma-Lyte may be a safer choice of fluid to use for a kidney transplant operation, there is not yet evidence which compares Plasma-Lyte with standard fluid for children and young people.
Watch our video to find out how the study works
Which hospitals are taking part in PLUTO?
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Steelhouse Lane
Birmingham
B4 6NH
Principal Investigator: Dr Mordi Mourah
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Paul O’Gorman Building
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8BJ
Principal Investigator: Dr Jan Dudley
Evelina London Children’s Hospital
St Thomas’ Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
Principal Investigator: Dr Nick Ware
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Victoria Wing
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP
Principal Investigator: Dr Michal Malina
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH
Principal Investigator: Dr Wesley Hayes
Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
Principal Investigator: Dr Pallavi Yadav
Nottingham Children’s Hospital
Derby Road
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
Principal Investigator: Dr Martin Christian
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
274 Grosvenor Rd
Belfast
BT12 6BA
Principal Investigator: Dr Mairead Convery
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
Principal Investigator: Dr Mohan Shenoy
Belfast City Hospital
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Great North Children’s Hospital
University Hospital Southampton
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Nottingham Children’s Hospital
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Children’s Hospital of Wales (Cardiff)
Meet the team
Dr Wesley Hayes
Alison Deary
Claire Foley
Emma Laing
Chloe Fitzpatrick-Creamer
Laura Pankhurst
Lisha Gracias
Emily Arbon
If you have any questions or queries about the study, please leave us a message below and we will be in touch with you shortly – The PLUTO Team