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Children's Lung Health

The Children's Lung Health Team investigates lung growth and development through infancy, childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, in health and in chronic lung disease, and the impact of preterm birth on lung health outcomes.

The Children’s Lung Health team aims to help all kids breathe better, from infancy through to early adult life.

Our research focuses on three broad areas:

Examining childhood lung disease

The team seeks to gain a greater understanding of a variety of lung diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease of prematurity and neuromuscular diseases. We are also interested in the impact of inflammation and infection on lung function. Research in this area involves determining the most appropriate methods to assess lung function depending on disease type and age of the child. We are also interested in the detection of sensitive biological markers to identify and prevent the progression of lung disease.

Tracking lung growth and development from infancy to early adulthood

By tracking lung health from birth through childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, the team aims to maximise opportunities to prevent the development and/or improve the management of chronic lung diseases later in life. This involves examining the impact of neonatal factors, low lung function and respiratory symptoms on long-term respiratory outcomes.

Research Translation

Central to the team’s research is expanding the evidence base for international guidelines to improve the clinical management of childhood respiratory diseases. The team fosters local, national, and international collaborations to ensure the most relevant research questions are being asked and the community are actively engaged in research activities. This helps facilitate rapid and effective implementation of research outcomes.

If you would like to stay up to date with our team projects, follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/WalyanCentre/

Featured Projects

Many Healthy Lungs

In partnership with Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, we aim to improve Aboriginal lung health by determining for the first time the baseline lung function of Aboriginal Australians.

Developing sensitive endpoints for respiratory disease progression in children with neuromuscular disease

We hope that through earlier diagnosis and treatment of muscle weakness during sleep, we can prevent future lung failure in children with neuromuscular disorders.

Preterm Paediatric Inhaled Corticosteroids Intervention (PICSI)

Understanding if ongoing inflammation in the lungs contributes to the poor lung health experienced by some children who were born preterm.

The next generation of impact in cystic fibrosis

Lung damage in children with CF occurs much earlier than previously thought, and proving this is related to the decline that occurs later will create new paradigms for prevention and treatment.

Team leader

Shannon Simpson
Shannon Simpson

BMedSci (hons), PhD

Co-Head, Children's Lung Health; Senior Research Fellow

Co-Head, Children's Lung Health

Team members (17)

Rachel Foong
Rachel Foong

BSc (hons), PhD, MBiostat

Honorary Research Associate

Elizabeth Smith
Elizabeth Smith

PhD, MSc, BSc

Program Manager

Henry Brown
Henry Brown

BSc (Hons), PhD Candidate

Research Assistant, Aboriginal Lung Health

Senior Project Coordinator

Alana Harper
Alana Harper

BSc (hons)

Program Manager

Tiffany Bradshaw

Tiffany Bradshaw

Research Assistant

Denby Evans

Denby Evans

Research Assistant and PhD Student

Dr James Gibbons

Dr James Gibbons

Respiratory Fellow (PCH) and PhD Student

Naomi Hemy

Naomi Hemy

Senior Project Coordinator

Sally McCappin

Sally McCappin

Research Assistant

Dimpal Patel

Dimpal Patel

PhD Student

Grace Pettigrew

Grace Pettigrew

Research Assistant

Rhea Urs

Rhea Urs

Research Officer and Medical Student

Dr Andrew Wilson

Dr Andrew Wilson

Respiratory Physician (PCH) and Honourary Research Associate

Dr Adelaide Withers

Dr Adelaide Withers

Respiratory Physician (PCH) and MPhil Student

Samantha McLean

Samantha McLean

Research Assistant

Michael Beaven

Michael Beaven

PhD Student

Children's lung health videos

Reports and Findings

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Transcriptomic analysis of primary nasal epithelial cells reveals altered interferon signalling in preterm birth survivors at one year of age

Many survivors of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) have lifelong respiratory deficits, the drivers of which remain unknown. Influencers of pathophysiological outcomes are often detectable at the gene level and pinpointing these differences can help guide targeted research and interventions. This study provides the first transcriptomic analysis of primary nasal airway epithelial cells in survivors of preterm birth at approximately 1 year of age.

Improving screening in a paediatric cohort for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: A quality improvement project

Lung structural and functional impairments in young children with cystic fibrosis diagnosed following newborn screening – A nationwide observational study

Non-invasive and sensitive clinical endpoints are needed to monitor onset and progression of early lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We compared lung clearance index (LCI), FEV1, functional and structural lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes in Swiss children with CF diagnosed following newborn screening. 

Prematurity-associated lung disease: is it asthma?

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