Defining Normal Ultrasound-measured Bowel Wall Thickness in Children

Summary

Help our research team learn more about intestinal ultrasound measurements in children!

The bowel (or intestine) is like a long tube with many layers. We are measuring the thickness of the layers that make up the bowel wall in children using ultrasound. We know what measurements are normal vs abnormal in adults, but we need more data in children, especially because they are smaller in size. This will help us understand how these measurements can change when the bowel is inflamed.

Participation in this study includes a brief screening phone call and an in-person study visit at the Alberta Children's Hospital for an intestinal ultrasound (about 45 minutes). The ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the bowel. It does not include any pokes or radiation and it does not hurt. With your child lying down, we use ultrasound jelly with a wand (probe) to press over the abdomen. We will take a series of measurements of the bowel wall thickness in various sections of the bowel. There is a brief participant survey after the ultrasound as well.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 2 to 17

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

- Children (2-17 years) without inflammatory bowel disease and live in Calgary or surrounding areas
- No known intestinal conditions (some exceptions include Irritable Bowel Syndrome and mild constipation)
- No previous abdominal surgery

Exclusion criteria:

Participants are not eligible if any of the following apply:
- New onset (≤ 4 weeks) symptoms suggestive of possible gastrointestinal infection (may include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, vomiting, abdominal pain, and/or fever)
- Current or recent (≤ 4 weeks) medications such as: systemic corticosteroids, biologic medications (with exception of intravenous immunoglobulin for non-gastrointestinal indications), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), or chemotherapeutic agents
- Participants and/or parents who cannot read or understand English given the language of the consent form

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

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Additional information

Contact information

Study Coordinator: Dr. Katherine (Tusia) Pohoreski Principal Investigator: Dr. Jennifer deBruyn Email: iusstudypeds@ucalgary.ca

Principal investigator:

Jennifer deBruyn

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB25-1438