Investigation of obesity-related complications in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the pathophysiology of obesity-related complications in children and young people with increased body mass index
IRAS ID
276024
Contact name
Meera Shaunak
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
One in three children are overweight or obese on leaving primary school. Obesity is associated with serious health complications including Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and excess liver fat, which can lead to inflammation and permanent scarring.
We would like to understand why some children and young people are at greater risk of developing obesity-related complications. This will help us identify high-risk patients, develop investigations and offer early intervention.
We are collecting information and taking an additional research blood sample at the time of a planned blood test in children with obesity aged 5 – 17 years under the University Hospital Southampton. No extra hospital visits are required for this part of the study. We will collect information every year until the child is discharged or until the end of the planned study period.
We would also like to see if three new breath tests can detect early liver damage in 12 – 17 year olds with obesity. Current tests can detect moderate to severe liver damage, but mild liver damage may not always be detected. Each breath test will tell us different things about how well the liver is working.
This will involve three visits to the Clinical Research Facility at University Hospital Southampton. These visits will occur in the morning after an overnight fast. Where possible, visits will happen on the same morning as clinic appointments or during school holidays. Attendance on a school day will only occur following agreement with parent and young person.
Young people will be given a drink containing a harmless, biochemical product dissolved in water. We will then collect their breath by asking them to blow through a straw into two tubes every 10 minutes for one hour. The first visit will also include body measurements, a blood test and a liver scan.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0198
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion