🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2025-10-20

Study to Investigate Genetic Causes of Severe Early Childhood Onset Obesity. (NCT01998750)

Study to Identify Rare Genetic Variants Causing Severe Early Childhood Obesity

🟢 Recruiting Interventional Protocol 📊 Observational Clinical Research Sponsor: Columbia University

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This study aims to investigate genetic causes of early childhood obesity. The investigators will enroll children and adults with severe early onset obesity (BMI \> 99th percentile) diagnosed prior to 6 years of age. The investigators will ask questions about the health and eating behavior of the participants, and perform a brief physical examination. The investigators will collect saliva or blood to perform genetic testing from the participants and invite family members to enroll in the study.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (1 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).

Location: Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts

Age range: Not specified to 80 Years

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Known genetic causes of obesity
  • Known Endocrine causes of obesity.
  • Neurologic tumor, trauma or surgery
  • Prior malignancy or transplant
  • Known autoimmune diseases
  • Edema of a known or unknown cause
  • Prolonged steroid use.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts
  • Columbia University Medical Center — New York, New York

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (212) 851-5315

Email: vvt2114@cumc.columbia.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Explore by condition: All Obesity clinical trials

💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗