Using ultrasound to diagnose fatty liver disease in children.
Official title: Quantitative Ultrasound To Diagnose Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children.
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11124834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help kids with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by creating better ultrasound tools to spot liver fat early, so they can get the care they need sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,419 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135951-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 9 to 17 years who are overweight or obese and at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not fall within the specified age range or who do not have risk factors for NAFLD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the health of children suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by developing better tools for detecting and monitoring liver fat. With over 5 million American children affected by NAFLD, the study focuses on creating accurate and accessible ultrasound technology to diagnose this condition early. The research will address current limitations in ultrasound methods, ensuring that more children can receive timely and effective care. By enhancing the diagnostic process, the study seeks to facilitate early intervention and management of NAFLD in pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of fatty liver disease in children, potentially reducing the risk of serious health complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using ultrasound technology for diagnosing liver conditions, but this specific approach to pediatric NAFLD is innovative and addresses significant gaps in current diagnostic methods.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sirlin, Claude B — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Sirlin, Claude B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Ultrasound tests to find and track fatty liver in children
This project develops easy-to-use ultrasound methods to find and monitor liver fat in children who are overweight or obese.
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Using ultrasound to detect early signs of fatty liver disease
This study is testing a new ultrasound method to help find nonalcoholic fatty liver disease early, making it easier and cheaper for patients to get checked for liver health before serious problems develop.
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Targeting fatty liver disease in women around pregnancy to improve health
This grant explores how to identify and help pregnant and postpartum women who are at risk for fatty liver disease to prevent liver problems later.
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Clinically meaningful research on fatty liver disease in adults and children
A nationwide effort studying MASLD, the major form of fatty liver disease, to find better ways to identify who is at risk and how to treat it, including kids and adults.
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NAFLD in PCOS: Do androgens drive liver injury and fatty liver progression?
Young women with PCOS may face liver disease progression due to high androgen levels, and this research looks at targeted ways to slow or prevent that progression.
-
How genes and heavy metals influence fatty liver disease
This project looks at how a person’s genes and the amounts of metals in their liver together relate to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
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.