RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Longitudinal Preschool Wheeze Biomarker Study

Many young children in the UK are hospitalised for wheezing, and current treatments, like inhaled steroids, only help a small number. This study wants to find new, simple tests that can quickly and accurately tell doctors why a child is wheezing, so they can give the best treatment. Researchers will explore different common tests, like skin prick tests for allergies, finger prick blood tests, and swabs for bacteria, to see how well they work and if parents and children find them acceptable. The goal is to move towards personalised care for wheezing, where treatment is chosen based on a child's specific needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

150

Start

01 Feb 2024

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Wheezing

What is this study about?

Wheezing is a common problem in young children, especially those aged 1 to 5. Sadly, many children in the UK end up in hospital because of their wheezing, and this hasn't really changed in the last 20 years. This shows us that the usual ways we address wheezing aren't working for everyone, and we really need to find new and better solutions.

At the moment, most young children who wheeze are given inhaled steroids. However, these only tend to help about 1 in 4 children, usually those with allergies. For the other 3 in 4 children, these inhaled steroids don't make much of a difference. This means many children are getting treatment that isn't really helping them. This research wants to find out if there are other reasons why children wheeze and, more importantly, whether there are simple tests we can do to figure out what's causing each child's wheezing. If we know the cause, we can then pick the best treatment for that individual child.

This study will try out several simple tests that can be done easily, often by the child's bedside. These include skin tests for allergies, a finger prick blood test, a swab from the nose or throat, and a special breathing test. The researchers want to see if these tests are good at telling us what's going on in a child's lungs, if children and parents are happy to do them, and if they can help doctors choose the best medicine. Ultimately, the long-term goal is to make sure every child with wheezing gets the right treatment for their specific problem, and to see if treating children based on these new tests leads to better outcomes compared to the current approach.

Key takeaways

Current wheezing treatments don't work for all young children.
The study aims to find simple tests to better understand why children wheeze.
These tests could help doctors choose the right treatment for each child.
Participation involves simple tests like skin pricks, blood tests, and breathing tests.
The goal is to improve how we manage wheezing in children.
You can withdraw your child from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for children aged between 1 and 5 years old. To join, your child must have been in hospital for wheezing at least twice in the last year. Alternatively, if your child was admitted at least once in the last year and needed special care or strong breathing medicines given through a drip (IV bronchodilators), they might also be able to take part.

In some cases, children who are already having a specific lung examination called a bronchoscopy (as decided by their existing medical team for their usual care) might be asked to join a specific part of the study.

However, children who have other known lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, will not be able to participate in this study. This is because the study is focused specifically on understanding wheezing that isn't caused by these other conditions.

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 1 and 5 years old?
Has your child been in hospital for wheezing at least twice in the last year?
Or, has your child been in hospital once in the last year needing special care for wheezing or strong IV medicines?
Does your child NOT have cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child joins the study, they will have several simple tests. These include a skin prick test to check for common allergies like dust mites or pollen, a small finger prick to take a tiny sample of blood, and a swab from their nose or throat to check for germs. They will also have a special breathing test called a forced oscillation technique (FOT), which is easy to do and just involves breathing normally into a device. For some children, there might be a request for a phlegm (sputum) sample, which involves breathing in a salty mist beforehand. All these tests are designed to be as straightforward and comfortable as possible for young children. The study will also track your child's symptoms and any medicines they are taking over a period of time, though the precise duration isn't specified, it is an observational study so there won't be long-term follow up appointments.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of a more detailed understanding of your child's wheezing, which could potentially lead to more tailored treatment in the future. The tests involved are generally considered very safe, with minor discomfort possible from a finger prick or skin prick test, similar to a scratch. The breathing tests and swabs are non-invasive and carry very low risks. You are free to withdraw your child from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your child's ongoing medical care.

Locations (1)

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

Royal Brompton Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'wheezing'?

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, caused by narrowed airways in the lungs.

What is a 'skin prick test'?

A skin prick test involves placing tiny drops of common allergens on the skin, then gently pricking the skin's surface. It checks for allergic reactions.

Will my child have to take any new medicines in this study?

For most of the study, no new medicines are given. There's a small part of the study looking at guiding treatment, but this would be fully explained before you agree.

How long will my child need to be involved in the study?

The study aims to observe and test children. While the exact duration isn't stated, it's an observational study, focusing on collecting information from the tests and seeing how they relate to your child's symptoms.

Will taking part affect my child's regular medical care?

No, taking part in this study will not affect the usual medical care your child receives from their doctors.

How to find out more

Cheuk Fung Wong

cheuk-fung.wong@imperial.ac.uk +4420 7594 9832 Official trial record

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