Identifying non-invasive markers for bladder health in children with spina bifida

NIMBLE: Non-Invasive Markers of Bladder Deterioration

NIH-funded research Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10876348

This study is looking for a better way to help kids with spina bifida manage their bladder health by finding easy-to-use urine tests that can show if their bladder is getting worse, so they can avoid serious kidney problems and have a better quality of care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10876348 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving bladder management for children with neurogenic bladder due to spina bifida. It aims to develop non-invasive urine biomarkers that can signal bladder deterioration, which is crucial for preventing chronic kidney disease. The study will analyze urine samples to identify specific markers that correlate with bladder function, potentially replacing the need for invasive urodynamics testing. By providing a simpler and safer method for monitoring bladder health, this research could enhance the quality of care for affected children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with spina bifida and experiencing neurogenic bladder.

Not a fit: Patients without neurogenic bladder or those older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of bladder issues, reducing the risk of kidney damage in children with spina bifida.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promise in identifying urine biomarkers, but this approach is still novel and has not been extensively validated.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.