An observational study in Acute Liver Failure, Mitochondrial Diseases and End Stage Liver Disease, sponsored by Arbor Research Collaborative for Health. Suspended at 16 sites in 2 countries. Open to participants aged Up to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-04.
Sponsored by Arbor Research Collaborative for Health · Observational
The specific aims of this study are (1) to determine the clinical phenotypes and natural history of hepatic RC and FAO disorders, (2) to determine the correlation between genotype and phenotype, (3) to determine if circulating biomarkers reflect diagnosis and predict liver disease progression and survival with the native liver, (4) to determine the clinical outcome of these disorders following liver transplantation, and (5) to develop a repository of serum, plasma, urine, tissue and DNA specimens that will be used in ancillary studies. To accomplish these aims, the ChiLDReN investigators at clinical sites (currently 9 sites) will prospectively collect defined data and specimens in a uniform fashion at fixed intervals in a relatively large number of subjects. Clinical information collected from subjects and their parents will enhance the potential for meaningful research in these disorders. A biobank of previously collected subject specimens and DNA samples will be established for use in ancillary studies to be performed in addition to this study.
This study will be conducted as part of the NIH-supported Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network (ChiLDREN). ChiLDREN is investigating rare cholestatic liver diseases of childhood: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT), Alagille's Syndrome (AGS), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), bile acid synthesis defects and mitochondrial hepatopathies (all previously studied by the Cholestatic Liver Disease Consortium [CLiC]); biliary atresia (previously studied by the Biliary Atresia Research Consortium [BARC]); neonatal hepatitis; and cystic fibrosis liver disease, which is studied by a new branch of ChiLDREN known as the Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease (CFLD) Network.
In this protocol, mitochondrial hepatopathies in children and young adults will be investigated. The focus will be on respiratory chain defects (RC) and defects of fatty acid oxidation (FAO). There is little known about the full spectrum of severity and long-term natural history of mitochondrial hepatopathies. Moreover, these disorders have not been subject to prospective, rigorous clinicopathological scrutiny.
96 studies on the registry are indexed under Liver Failure, Acute; 20 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 90 is below the median of 112 across 34 observational studies indexed under Liver Failure, Acute.
Browse Liver Failure, Acute studies →Arbor Research Collaborative for Health is the lead sponsor of 19 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
A total of 150 children and young adults with suspected or documented hepatic RC defect or FAO defect between birth and 18 years old from both genders and all races and ethnic groups that meet inclusion/exclusion criteria as defined above
Subjects in Group 1 (Mitochondrial Hepatopathy group) must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
A. Potential subjects presenting with acute or chronic liver disease or acute liver failure but who have not had a liver transplant must meet one of Clinical Criteria 1 and one of Clinical Criteria 2 listed below:
Clinical Criteria 1 (any one of the following)
3.Chronic liver disease defined as:
Clinical Criteria 2 (any one of the following):
hypotonia, neuro-developmental delay, seizure disorder requiring treatment with valproic acid, nystagmus, cardiomyopathy, renal tubulopathy, bone marrow failure, myopathy, hearing loss), or
B. Potential participants who have undergone a liver transplantation because of acute liver failure or end stage liver disease due to suspected or confirmed mitochondrial hepatopathy; the transplantation may have been performed at a non-ChiLDREN medical center or at a ChiLDREN Clinical Site. Participants will meet Criteria 1 and either criteria 2 or criteria 3 below:
2.Suspected mitochondrial liver disease, based upon meeting one or more of the following criteria:
Subjects in Group 2 (Suspected Mitochondrial Hepatopathy not meeting Group 1 enrollment criteria) must meet the following inclusion criteria:
Subjects in either Group 1 or 2 must not have any of the following exclusion criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Blood tests of how long blood takes to clot. The INR is the prothrombin time (PT) put on a common scale; about 1 is usual for someone not taking a blood thinner.
Criteria often make an exception for people on a blood thinner such as warfarin, whose INR is raised on purpose.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
INR, PT and aPTT (clotting tests)
Blood tests of how long blood takes to clot. The INR is the prothrombin time (PT) put on a common scale; about 1 is usual for someone not taking a blood thinner.
Criteria often make an exception for people on a blood thinner such as warfarin, whose INR is raised on purpose.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Mitochondrial Hepatopathy Disease Group
Listing for liver transplant
Listing for liver transplant
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Liver transplantation
Liver transplantation
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Involvement of other organ systems known to be associated with mitochondrial diseases
Involvement of other organ systems known to be associated with mitochondrial diseases
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Death
Death
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Growth failure
Growth failure (defined as weight or length Z-score for age \< -2)
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Worsening liver function
Worsening liver function (defined as PELD \>10)
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Complications of portal hypertension
Complications of portal hypertension
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Neurodevelopmental outcome
Neurodevelopmental outcome
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Health related Quality of Life
Health related Quality of Life
Time frame: Measured/assessed at baseline, 6 months, Years 1 through 10, and at time of liver transplant, liver or muscle biopsy or hospitalization for critical illness if applicable
Plan to share: Yes — The data will be transferred to NIDDK at the end of the study.
Started Aug 2010 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for May 2029, 225 months after the start.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is suspended, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Arbor Research Collaborative for Health