Understanding Biliary Atresia in Children
Official title: Biliary Atresia Study in Infants and Children (BASIC)
Run by Arbor Research Collaborative for Health · NCT00345553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to learn more about biliary atresia in children by collecting health information and samples to see what causes the disease and how it affects their lives.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Months to 20 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1265 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 16 sites (Los Angeles, California and 15 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 16, 2006 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT00345553 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 6 months to 20 years with a confirmed diagnosis of biliary atresia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients currently participating in the ChiLDReN study PROBE or those unable to confirm their original diagnostic evaluation of biliary atresia may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to gather clinical information, genetic material, and body fluid samples from children diagnosed with biliary atresia (BA) to explore the causes and progression of the disease. It focuses on identifying genetic defects and autoimmune factors that may contribute to BA and its complications. The study also seeks to characterize the natural history of older children with BA, examining how sentinel events like variceal bleeding and growth failure may predict outcomes such as liver transplantation or mortality. By comparing these children to healthy controls, the study aims to enhance understanding of the disease's impact on quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of biliary atresia, potentially enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on biliary atresia, this approach focusing on older children and genetic factors is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants need to have a confirmed diagnosis of BA determined by chart review including review of pertinent diagnostic biopsy reports, radiologic reports and surgical reports (if surgery was performed). 2. Participants need to be \>6 months of age up to and equal to the age of 20 (participants enrolled at 20 years of age will have one visit). 3. Participants with their native liver. 4. Parent, guardian or participant (if 18 years of age or older) is willing to provide informed consent and, when appropriate, the participant is willing to assent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Currently participating in the ChiLDReN study PROBE. 2. Inability to confirm original diagnostic evaluation of biliary atresia. 3. Inability or unwillingness of family or participant to participate in all scheduled visits. 4. History of liver transplantation.
Where it's running
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting -
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Show 10 more locations
-
Texas Children's Hospital (Baylor College of Medicine)
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting -
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, United States Recruiting -
University of California at San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States Completed -
Riley Children's Hospital
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Completed -
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Completed -
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States Completed -
Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York, New York, United States Completed -
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Completed -
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Completed
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John C Magee, MD — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Melissa Sexton, BBA, CCRP
- Email: melissa.sexton@arborresearch.org
- Phone: 734-693-3811
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Umbilical cord stem cells added during Kasai to help biliary atresia
This early-stage trial tests whether injecting umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells during Kasai portoenterostomy is safe and helpful for infants with biliary atresia.
-
See if a computer program can help diagnose cholestasis in newborns using parent-provided stool images
A computer program is being tested to see if it can correctly identify cholestasis and biliary atresia in newborns by analyzing stool images provided by parents.
-
Indocyanine green for diagnosing biliary atresia
This test tries to see if a harmless fluorescent dye (indocyanine green) can show whether infants under 3 months with cholestasis have blocked bile ducts (biliary atresia).
-
Using near-infrared ICG dye to check bile flow in newborns with cholestasis
We will give eligible newborns a single IV dose of indocyanine green (ICG) to see if the dye appears in their diapers, which would indicate bile is flowing and the bile ducts are open.
-
High-MCT nutritional support for infants with biliary atresia
We will test whether giving a high medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) formula before and after Kasai surgery helps infants with biliary atresia grow better and recover faster than standard feeding.
-
Using oral antibiotics to prevent cholangitis after liver surgery in infants
This study is testing if giving oral antibiotics to infants after liver surgery can help prevent cholangitis, compared to those who don’t receive the antibiotics.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.