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Children's Lung Health

The Children's Lung Health Team investigates lung growth and development through infancy, childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, in health and in chronic lung disease, and the impact of preterm birth on lung health outcomes.

Research

Early respiratory viral infections in infants with cystic fibrosis

Early viral infections were associated with greater neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial pathogens

Research

Early surveillance of infants and preschool children with cystic fibrosis

Sensitive and non-invasive surveillance tools are needed for the clinical management of infants and preschool children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The lung clearance index from the multiple breath washout and functional and morphological outcomes from magnetic resonance imaging provide promising alternatives to current gold standard techniques. Early detection and treatment of lung disease during this important period offers the opportunity to improve the quality of life for individuals with CF.

Research

Parents welcome follow-up using mobile devices: A survey of acceptability at an Australian tertiary paediatric centre

We surveyed 642 parents and carers at Perth Children's Hospital, targeting demographics, device ownership and attitudes towards electronic follow-up

Research

Increased prevalence of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Expiratory flow limitation is more prevalent in children born preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and is associated with airway obstruction

Research

Persistent and progressive long-term lung disease in survivors of preterm birth

This review aims to summarise what is known about the long-term pulmonary outcomes of contemporary preterm birth

Research

Oscillometry and spirometry are not interchangeable when assessing the bronchodilator response in children and young adults born preterm

The European Respiratory Society Oscillometry Taskforce identified that clinical correlates of bronchodilator responses are needed to advance oscillometry in clinical practice. The understanding of bronchodilator-induced oscillometry changes in preterm lung disease is poor. Here we describe a comparison of bronchodilator assessments performed using oscillometry and spirometry in a population born very preterm and explore the relationship between bronchodilator-induced changes in respiratory function and clinical outcomes.

Research

Preterm lung disease: not just for neonatologists

Improvements in neonatal critical care have resulted in more people than ever reaching adulthood after being born prematurely. At the same time, it is becoming clearer that preterm birth can increase the risk of respiratory disease throughout a person’s lifetime. Awareness that a patient was born preterm can enable early specialist assessment and intervention when there is any concern about lung health. 

Research

Arsenic and respiratory disease

Arsenic is the only environmental toxin that has been linked to both malignant and nonmalignant respiratory disease following ingestion, rather than inhalation, making arsenic a unique toxicant to the respiratory system. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been associated with the development of respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function, and chronic lung disease.

Research

Simultaneous multiple breath washout and oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in healthy adults

Lung function testing and lung imaging are commonly used techniques to monitor respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). The nitrogen (N2) multiple-breath washout technique (MBW) has been shown to detect ventilation inhomogeneity in CF, but the underlying pathophysiological processes that are altered are often unclear.