Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Metabolites in Blood and Breath in Metabolic Conditions

100 participantsStarted 2026-10-01

Plain-language summary

In patients with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and in those requiring a ketogenic diet for the treatment of medical conditions, relevant biochemical analytes are routinely and regularly measured in venous or capillary blood samples. Repeated venipuncture for blood collection is invasive, burdensome, and resource-intensive. As an alternative, capillary blood sampling can provide some relief for the measurement of a limited number of metabolites. Nevertheless, the frequent finger pricks required to obtain capillary blood samples can still be uncomfortable for patients. Therefore, patients could benefit if non-invasive breath measurements were to replace the currently invasive biochemical monitoring methods in the future. In this study, the usability of metabolite measurements across matrices (venous blood, capillary blood, breath captured by a handheld sensor and breath in a collection bag) in IEM patients, individuals prescribed special health-related diets, and healthy volunteers will be investigated. The usability of a handheld breath sensor for remote monitoring of patients will also be tested. Lastly, exploratory investigations will be performed to identify new disease biomarkers in breath.

Who can participate

Age range

4 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 4-20 years old with refractory epilepsy on a ketogenic diet, or * Patients aged 4 years old and above with a confirmed diagnosis of urea cycle disorders, organic acidurias, amino acidopathies and fatty acid oxidation defects, or * healthy adults and * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Physical findings at screening that would compromise safety of the participant or quality of study data. Examples include presentation of fever, pulmonary complications, presence of disease comorbidities that might interfere with study result and inability to comply with study procedures.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Concentration (μmol/L) of metabolites of clinical interest in venous blood, capillary blood and breath of participants.

Timeframe: Baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07704606

SponsorUniversity Children's Hospital, Zurich

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2036-10-01

Contact for this trial

Johannes Häberle

+41 44 249 59 88 Johannes.Haeberle@kispi.uzh.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Inborn Errors of Metabolism trials