Identifying non-invasive markers for understanding feeding difficulties in children
Official title: Non-invasive Biomarkers of Symptom Severity and Treatment Response in Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11086737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at feeding problems in kids who use feeding tubes, and it aims to find simple tests that can help understand how serious their issues are and how well treatments are working, so we can better support these children and their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,940 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK137036-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who experience feeding difficulties, particularly those requiring gastrostomy tube placement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have feeding disorders or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the common issue of feeding disorders in children, which affects a significant percentage of the pediatric population. It aims to identify non-invasive biomarkers that can help assess the severity of symptoms and the effectiveness of treatments. The study will utilize advanced imaging techniques to analyze gastric emptying and accommodation in children who are fed through gastrostomy tubes. By understanding these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve management strategies for affected children and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-targeted treatments for children with feeding disorders, improving their quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: While feeding disorders are common, this research approach is novel as it aims to correlate gastric physiology with feeding intolerance symptoms, which has not been extensively studied before.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hirsch, Suzanna — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hirsch, Suzanna
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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.