RecruitingInterventional

Using high flow moist oxygen early to treat acute severe asthma in children

This study is investigating if an early treatment with high-flow, warm, moist oxygen can help children recover more quickly when they have a severe asthma attack. Many children come to hospital with severe asthma, and while most respond to inhalers, some need stronger medicines given through a drip, which can be unpleasant. Researchers want to know if this oxygen therapy, which is already used safely for other breathing problems, can reduce the need for such intravenous treatments and shorten hospital stays. Children aged 2 to 18 years, who are still struggling to breathe after initial asthma medication, may be able to join. The study compares this new approach with usual care, and families will be asked for permission to use their child's health information once the emergency has passed.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

218

Start

25 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Acute severe asthma in children

What is this study about?

Asthma is a common condition among children, and sometimes they have very bad attacks that land them in hospital. Usually, a strong dose of inhaler medicine helps them get better. But for some children, this isn't enough, and they might need medicines given directly into a vein, which can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes distressing.

This study is looking into a different approach: giving warm, moist oxygen in a special way, called 'high-flow humidified oxygen', very early on. Researchers want to see if this method can help children recover more quickly from their severe asthma attack and, importantly, reduce their need for those stronger, intravenous medicines. This could mean a less stressful experience and a shorter stay in hospital for children and their families.

This type of oxygen treatment is already used safely for other breathing difficulties in children. The study aims to gather clear evidence to see if it's also a good way to help children with severe asthma attacks. It’s comparing this early high-flow oxygen treatment with the standard care that children usually receive, to understand which approach works best.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve recovery for children with severe asthma attacks.
Tests early high-flow, warm, moist oxygen versus usual care.
Could reduce need for IV medications and hospital stays.
Children aged 2-18 with severe asthma may be eligible.
Treatment starts quickly, no extra tests required.
Funded by a major UK health research body (NIHR).

Who may be eligible?

Children can take part in this study if they are aged between 2 and 18 years old and come to the hospital with a severe asthma attack. They should have already received their usual strong dose of inhaler medicine, but are still having trouble breathing, with their oxygen levels not quite right even after 1 to 4 hours of treatment.

However, some children won’t be able to join the study. This includes those with a fever and signs of a chest infection (like pneumonia), or if their asthma attack is so severe that they might need a breathing tube very soon. Children with reduced awareness, or certain conditions that make high-flow oxygen unsafe – such as a collapsed lung or recent bowel surgery – also cannot take part. If a child has other serious illnesses or has already been in this study before, they won't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 2 and 18 years old?
Has your child come to hospital with a severe asthma attack?
After initial inhaler treatment, is your child still struggling to breathe?
Does your child NOT have a high fever with signs of pneumonia?
Does your child NOT have any conditions that would make high-flow oxygen unsafe (like a very recent operation or a collapsed lung)?
Has your child NOT taken part in this study before?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child is eligible and you agree for them to take part, they will be randomly assigned to receive one of two types of care: either the early high-flow humidified oxygen or the usual care approach. The treatment will start as soon as possible because severe asthma attacks need quick attention. There won't be any extra blood tests for the study. Once the immediate emergency has passed (usually the next working day), you will be asked to give your consent for your child's health information to be used for the study. The study team will then look at things like how fast your child recovers, whether they needed intravenous (drip) treatment, how long they stayed in hospital, and how they generally felt during their recovery. This helps the researchers compare the two types of care.

Potential risks and benefits

Children who receive the early high-flow oxygen might recover faster and may be less likely to need strong medicines given through a vein. This high-flow oxygen treatment is already used for other breathing problems in children and is considered safe. The risks are generally low, but like any medical treatment, there might be some minor discomfort or side effects. You have the right to withdraw your child from the study at any time without affecting their care.

Locations (9)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital
City only
Brighton, England
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Canterbury, England
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Middlesbrough, England
Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Edinburgh)
City only
Lothian, Scotland
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, England
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Unverified
Blackburn, England
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Unverified
Dartford, England
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Salisbury, England
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Unverified
Stoke-on-trent, England

Common questions

What is high-flow humidified oxygen?

It's a way of giving warm, moist oxygen to help children breathe more easily, often through soft tubes in their nose.

Will my child definitely get the new oxygen treatment?

No, children are randomly assigned to either receive the high-flow oxygen or usual care, like flipping a coin, so it's fair.

Are there any extra tests for this study?

No, there are no extra blood tests or procedures specifically for the study.

When does the study start and end?

The study hopes to start enrolling children in March 2026 and finish by June 2028.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major health research funder in the UK.

How to find out more

Hector Rojas Anaya

CTU-HOPSA@bsms.ac.uk +44 1273 641469 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.