Bilirubin-related vision difficulties in children after neonatal jaundice
Official title: Bilirubin-Induced Visuocortical Dysfunction in Children Who Had Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Funded at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute · NIH-11368333 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how newborn jaundice with high bilirubin may impact vision and brain areas involved in seeing later in childhood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $424,260 |
| NIH project number | 2R01EY030537-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368333 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children who had neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and are now in the 0–5 year age range may be eligible for related assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Children without a history of neonatal jaundice or those outside the age window are unlikely to benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
If your child had neonatal jaundice with high bilirubin, this research looks at how bilirubin could affect the part of the brain that processes high‑level vision, even after the jaundice has resolved. The team uses eye and brain tests to track visual functions from infancy to early childhood, including measurements of how well the brain detects patterns and contrasts. They have already found dose‑related changes in vision that could persist beyond the newborn period, suggesting long‑term effects on social and visual processing. The study will help doctors understand which children might need monitoring or supportive therapies as they grow.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier identification and better support for children at risk of vision and social‑vision challenges after neonatal jaundice.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show measurable, potentially lasting visual changes linked to bilirubin exposure, suggesting a credible path forward with further study.
Where this research is happening
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Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Good, William V — Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Good, William V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.