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Trajectories of prematurity-associated lung disease: lifelong lung health

Preterm birth is increasingly recognised as adversely influencing lifelong lung function. This Series paper on prematurity-associated lung disease reviews studies reporting longitudinal lung function measurements in individuals who were born preterm. Evidence suggests that preterm birth alters lung function trajectories from early life onwards, with implications for future respiratory morbidity. We propose that this population needs rigorous follow up that should include systematic monitoring of lung function across the lifespan, starting in childhood.

Applying spirometry phenotypes to a longitudinal cohort born very preterm

To better characterise prematurity-associated lung disease, adult spirometry phenotype classifications (obstructive lung disease, preserved ratio impaired spirometry and dysanapsis) have been applied to children born preterm. It is unknown how these phenotypes track over time.

Early life exposure to an episode of extreme air pollution and lung function later in childhood: the Hazelwood early life follow-up (ELF) study

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, but the effects of early life exposure to acute, high-intensity pollution on later lung function remain poorly understood. We assessed the association between prenatal or infant exposure to fire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from a six-week coal mine fire and subsequent lung function. 

Healthcare professionals’ experiences involving Aboriginal families in the paediatric ESCALATION system

The Western Australian paediatric ESCALATION system, integrating family involvement, promotes early recognition and response to a hospitalised child's deteriorating health. This study aimed to understand healthcare professionals' experiences of Aboriginal parent/carer involvement in detecting clinical deterioration in the hospital.

An infant nasal microbial gene atlas uncovers intervention-driven microbiome shifts and salt-resistant pathogen expansion

Functional studies of how early-life interventions shape the airway microbiome remain scarce. Here, we performed metagenomic sequencing of 704 longitudinal nasal swabs from infants with and without cystic fibrosis (CF) to construct and characterize a non-redundant gene atlas of the infant nasal microbiome. We aimed to determine how the nasal microbiome is perturbed by early therapies, as CF is commonly treated with inhaled hypertonic saline to improve mucociliary clearance.

Healing airways so kids with asthma can breathe better

An exciting study is investigating whether a new therapeutic treatment for asthma will protect young sufferers from ongoing lung damage and improve their long-term health outcomes.

Tapping into the healing nature of water

In Aboriginal culture, water is life, holding powerful spiritual and cultural significance and acting as a vital source of connection, food and medicine.

Study finds high rates of chronic lung disease in remote-living Aboriginal children

Almost one in five children across four remote Kimberley communities has some form of chronic lung disease, according to a new study co-designed and conducted in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

Prestigious grants to support lung health and suicide prevention research

Two researchers focused on improving outcomes for children with chronic lung disease and averting suicide contagion and suicide clusters in young people have won prestigious Investigator Grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Funding boost to help turn research into practical change

Research projects sharing in a $2.1 million funding boost will seek to translate research findings into changes that benefit patients and help the health system run more efficiently.