Glowing poop test could spot rare infant liver disease

NCT ID NCT07513038

Recruiting now Diagnosis Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a fluorescent dye called indocyanine green (ICG) can help diagnose biliary atresia, a rare liver disease in infants where bile ducts are blocked. After injection, the dye is normally removed through bile and appears in stool. In infants with biliary atresia, the dye should not appear in stool. Researchers will check stool samples with a special camera to see if the dye is present. The study involves 20 infants under 3 months old who are already being evaluated for the condition.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Indocyanine Green (ICG)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a simpler, non-invasive way to diagnose biliary atresia in infants, potentially replacing more complex tests.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study with only 20 infants. The test may not reliably distinguish biliary atresia from other causes of jaundice, and results may not apply to all infants.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

biliary atresia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BILIARY ATRESIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

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