The GIGA-kids Study (Genomics of IgA-related disorders in kids Study) is a multicenter collaborative study based at Columbia University and sponsored by the Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium (MWPNC). The study aims to recruit over 1,000 children with IgA nephropathy or Henoch-Schönlein purpura (with or without nephritis) for the purpose of genetic, genomic and biomarker studies.
IgA nephropathy represents the leading cause of kidney failure among young adults. Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a related disorder with skin manifestations that frequently leads to nephropathy in children. Our prior genetic studies suggest that patients carrying more risk alleles have an earlier onset of disease. Accordingly, GIGA-kids extends our genetic investigations to pediatric patients, aiming to validate the known disease markers and to discover new genetic and biochemical predictors of disease that may be specific to children.
Click here for a study brochure with more information.
View the GIGA-Kids Study Home Page