RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Pediatric Arm of DZL All Age Asthma Cohort

This study is looking at children with asthma and wheezing to understand why some children continue to have breathing problems into adulthood, while others improve. Many children have wheezing when they're young, but it often goes away. However, for some, it develops into long-lasting asthma. Researchers are collecting detailed information, including genetic and environmental factors, to identify different types of asthma and the reasons behind them. The aim is to develop new, personalised treatments that target these specific causes and help prevent asthma from becoming a lifelong condition. This is part of a larger effort by the German Centre for Lung Research to improve our understanding and treatment of asthma for all ages.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

LMU Klinikum

Enrolment target

1,500

Start

01 Jan 2013

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Asthma Wheeze Hypersensitivity Endophenotype

What is this study about?

This study, called the Pediatric Arm of DZL All Age Asthma Cohort, is focused on understanding childhood asthma and wheezing. Many parents know that wheezing is common in very young children, with about a quarter to a third of all children experiencing at least one episode before their third birthday. For many of these children, the wheezing stops as they get older, often by the time they are between 3 and 8 years old. However, for some, these early wheezing episodes turn into ongoing asthma that continues into later childhood and even adulthood.

The main goal of this research is to figure out why this happens. Scientists want to identify the specific reasons, known as 'mechanisms,' that lead to different types of asthma and wheezing patterns in children. They are looking at various factors, including genetics (what's in our DNA), our environment, and tiny particles in our bodies, to see how they influence asthma. By understanding these differences, the hope is to develop treatments that are tailored to each person's specific type of asthma, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Ultimately, this research aims to achieve two important things: first, to create more effective and personalised ways to treat asthma. Second, and perhaps even more exciting, is the potential for 'secondary prevention.' This means finding ways to stop asthma from becoming a long-term problem in children who are at risk, by intervening early in the disease process.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand why some children develop long-term asthma.
It could lead to personalised treatments for asthma in the future.
Participation involves clinic visits and collecting samples over time.
Children aged 6 months to 18 years, with and without asthma/wheezing, may be eligible.
The research is part of a larger project by German lung experts.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your child's care.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, children need to be between 6 months and 18 years old. Their parents must give their permission for the child to take part, and if the child is over 8 years old, they'll also need to agree themselves. It's also important for the child or their parents to understand German, as the study is taking place in Germany.

For very young children (from 6 months up to 6 years old), they would need to have had at least two episodes of wheezing in the year before joining the study to be considered. For older children (aged 6 years and above), they should have a doctor's diagnosis of asthma, following the usual medical guidelines.

There are also some things that would mean a child couldn't join. For example, if they were born prematurely (before 37 weeks), or if they have certain other lung conditions, heart problems affecting their lungs, or genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis. Children who needed oxygen or a breathing machine for a long time after birth, or have had a high fever in the two weeks before the first visit, also wouldn't be able to participate at this time.

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 6 months and 18 years?
Are you, and your child if over 8, happy to give your permission?
If under 6, has your child had at least two wheezing episodes in the last year?
If 6 or older, does your child have a doctor's diagnosis of asthma?
Was your child born at 37 weeks or later (not premature)?
Does your child NOT have other serious lung or heart conditions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you and your child decide to take part in this study, it would involve several visits to a clinic. When your child first joins, researchers will gather detailed information about their health. They will also collect samples, like blood or spit, to look at genetic and molecular factors. For children who are joining because they have asthma or wheezing, there will be follow-up visits scheduled regularly over time.

These follow-up visits will involve similar tests and assessments to the first visit, helping the researchers track how your child's condition changes. If your child experiences a flare-up or worsening of their asthma symptoms, there may also be specific visits scheduled during these times. The study is very careful to ensure that all these tests and samples are collected in the same way across all participating sites to ensure the results are reliable. The overall duration of your child's participation would depend on the study's plan for ongoing follow-up.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this helps advance medical understanding of asthma, which could lead to better treatments for children in the future, including potentially your own child. While there might not be a direct benefit to your child's current treatment, their participation contributes significantly to this important research. Potential risks are generally linked to the tests and procedures, such as blood draws, which carry a small risk of discomfort, bruising, or brief lightheadedness. All procedures are carried out by trained medical staff. You and your child have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your child's medical care.

Locations (5)

University Children's Hospital Cologne, Department of Paediatric Allergology and Pneumology
Verified postcode
Cologne, Germany· Recruiting
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease
Verified postcode
Hanover, Germany· Recruiting
Universitaetsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Airway Research Center North
Verified postcode
Lübeck, Germany· Recruiting
Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitaetsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center
Verified postcode
Marburg, Germany· Recruiting
Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Comprehensive Pulmonary Center Munich
Verified postcode
Munich, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'wheezing'?

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made when breathing, usually when breathing out. It happens when airways in the lungs become narrow.

What does 'personalised treatment' mean?

It means medical care that is specifically designed for an individual person, based on their unique characteristics, rather than a general treatment for everyone with the same condition.

What is the 'German Centre for Lung Research' (DZL)?

It's a group of leading scientists and doctors in Germany who work together on finding new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat lung diseases like asthma.

Will my child receive new medication in this study?

This study is observational, meaning it's about collecting information, not testing new medications. It's looking at children who are either new to asthma treatment or already on standard controller therapy.

Can children who don't have asthma take part?

Yes, healthy children can also be recruited as 'controls'. This helps researchers compare them to children with asthma or wheezing to understand differences.

How to find out more

Esther Zeitlmann, Diplom

esther.zeitlmann@med.uni-muenchen.de +49894400 Official trial record

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