Clinical Research Directory

Hepatic Histopathology in Urea Cycle Disorders

This is a multi-site, retrospective chart review as well as a prospective study to evaluate histopathologic findings in liver samples from individuals with any UCD diagnosis. This study will be conducted at all Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium (UCDC) sites: Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.

Liver Disease in Urea Cycle Disorders

This is a multi-center, cross-sectional study to assess risk for liver fibrosis and hepatic injury in individuals with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) using serum biomarkers, Fibroscan, and MRE. This study will be conducted at 5 sites of the Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium: Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA, Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, and Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.

Early Check: Expanded Screening in Newborns

Early Check provides voluntary screening of newborns for a selected panel of conditions. The study has three main objectives: 1) develop and implement an approach to identify affected infants, 2) address the impact on infants and families who screen positive, and 3) evaluate the Early Check program. The Early Check screening will lead to earlier identification of newborns with rare health conditions in addition to providing important data on the implementation of this model program. Early diagnosis may result in health and development benefits for the newborns. Infants who have newborn screening in North Carolina will be eligible to participate, equating to over 120,000 eligible infants a year. Over 95% of participants are expected to screen negative. Newborns who screen positive and their parents are invited to additional research activities and services. Parents can enroll eligible newborns on the Early Check electronic Research Portal. Screening tests are conducted on residual blood from existing newborn screening dried blood spots. Confirmatory testing is provided free-of-charge for infants who screen positive, and carrier testing is provided to mothers of infants with fragile X. Affected newborns have a physical and developmental evaluation. Their parents have genetic counseling and are invited to participate in surveys and interviews. Ongoing evaluation of the program includes additional parent interviews.