Identifying skin biomarkers for liver disease in children

Cutaneous biomarkers of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

['FUNDING_R01'] · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · NIH-11083719

This study is looking for kids and young adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to help find a simple way to check for the condition by looking at skin samples, and it’s also including kids with obesity for comparison.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11083719 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a non-invasive method to identify biomarkers for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by analyzing skin surface lipids. The study will involve recruiting 80 children aged 6-21 with NAFLD and 80 control participants with obesity. Using advanced lipidomic analyses, researchers will examine the differences in skin lipids between these groups and assess the potential of these lipids to indicate the severity of liver disease. Participants will undergo a quick and painless procedure to collect skin samples, alongside imaging tests to confirm the presence of NAFLD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 6 to 21 who have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or are obese.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 6 to 21 or those without NAFLD or obesity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a simple and non-invasive way to diagnose and monitor liver disease in children.

How similar studies have performed: This approach is novel, as it focuses on skin biomarkers for liver disease in children, and while similar methodologies have been explored, this specific application is untested.

Where this research is happening

CINCINNATI, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: advanced disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.