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Research

Health service utilisation for acute respiratory infections in infants graduating from the neonatal intensive care unit: a population-based cohort study

Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, babies admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) suffer from adverse outcomes. We aim to describe the longer-term respiratory infectious morbidity of infants discharged from NICU using state-wide population-based linked data in Western Australia.

Research

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk

Lung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups.

Research

Ventilatory response and stability of oxygen saturation during a hypoxic challenge in very preterm infants

Preterm infants have immature control of breathing and impaired pulmonary gas exchange. We hypothesized that infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have a blunted ventilatory response and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) instability during a hypoxic challenge.

Research

Associations between respiratory and vascular function in early childhood

The link between respiratory and vascular health is well documented in adult populations. Impaired lung function is consistently associated with thicker arteries and higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited data on this relationship in young children and the studies that exist have focussed on populations at high risk of cardiorespiratory morbidity.

News & Events

Can a simple urine test predict asthma? New study aims to find out

The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers are investigating whether a simple urine test could predict whether young children with wheezing symptoms will go on to develop asthma.

News & Events

Premmie twins defy the odds

When Samuel and James Considine were born in October 2003, perilously close to what the medical world describes as the limit of viability, each weighed just 700 grams and could fit into the palm of their father’s hand.

News & Events

Annual Community Lecture: You Are What You Breathe

Join us for our Annual Community Lecture entitled "You Are What You Breathe" with Professor Stephen Holgate.

News & Events

Researchers urge caution in how asthma test is used

Researchers are urging caution in the use of a widely accepted test for diagnosing asthma, after their study found it may not be accurate in some settings.

Research

Multiple breath washout cannot be used for tidal breath parameter analysis in infants

There are differences in tidal breathing parameters during multiple breath washout testing with SF6 gas mixture in infants

Research

Reference values for spirometry and their use in test interpretation: A Position Statement from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science

The ANZSRS recommends the adoption of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) 2012 spirometry reference values throughout Australia and New Zealand