About this Research Topic
Globally acute infections of childhood , specifically acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for children under five years of age. Acute infections in childhood are also linked to subsequent development of chronic lung diseases (CLDs) . It is believed that early infections alter the immune response which then puts children at risk of developing CLDs. For example, children who develop severe ARI associated with respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or rhinovirus in infancy are at increased risk of subsequently developing chronic lung diseases such as asthma beyond age 5. Additionally, children with CLDs such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchiectasis and congenital lung diseases are at higher risk of hospitalisation due to exacerbations of underlying chronic conditions associated with respiratory infections due to viruses and bacteria.
Acute infections in infancy may represent the first misstep along a continuum from health to long-term respiratory illness. While there is mounting evidence suggesting the causal relationship between early infections and the development and/or exacerbation of chronic lung diseases in childhood, the transient nature of acute infection and the long-term nature of chronic inflammatory disease remains unclear. The true potential to avoid or minimize CLDs by preventing or treating ARIs is substantially underestimated. This special edition on the intersection between acute infections and chronic lung diseases in children will aim to compile and review evidence from local, national, and international studies investigating the diverse spectrum of agents, pathways, outcomes, and co-factors that play a role in the causal pathway between acute infections to chronic lung diseases in childhood. In addition, how preventive measures and newer therapeutics and biologics modify the intersection between acute infections and chronic lung disease will also be examined.
The scope of the research will focus around but not limited to the following topics:
1. Determine the epidemiology of acute infections in children with chronic lung diseases.
2. Understand the change in disease trends in the post-COVID era
3. Examine the risks and associated complications of acute infections in children with CLD
4. Investigate the role of pulmonary immune response to infections in the development of chronic lung disease.
5. Explore the role of the microbiome in maintaining a healthy respiratory system
6. Measure the impact of preventive measures such as vaccines for acute respiratory infections in reducing the burden of CLDs in childhood
7. Determine the role of personalised medicine and gene therapy in children with CLDs
8. Investigate the role of point of care testing and other healthcare innovations including artificial intelligence n prevention and management of acute infections in children with CLDs.
Acute infections in infancy may represent the first misstep along a continuum from health to long-term respiratory illness. While there is mounting evidence suggesting the causal relationship between early infections and the development and/or exacerbation of chronic lung diseases in childhood, the transient nature of acute infection and the long-term nature of chronic inflammatory disease remains unclear. The true potential to avoid or minimize CLDs by preventing or treating ARIs is substantially underestimated. This special edition on the intersection between acute infections and chronic lung diseases in children will aim to compile and review evidence from local, national, and international studies investigating the diverse spectrum of agents, pathways, outcomes, and co-factors that play a role in the causal pathway between acute infections to chronic lung diseases in childhood. In addition, how preventive measures and newer therapeutics and biologics modify the intersection between acute infections and chronic lung disease will also be examined.
The scope of the research will focus around but not limited to the following topics:
1. Determine the epidemiology of acute infections in children with chronic lung diseases.
2. Understand the change in disease trends in the post-COVID era
3. Examine the risks and associated complications of acute infections in children with CLD
4. Investigate the role of pulmonary immune response to infections in the development of chronic lung disease.
5. Explore the role of the microbiome in maintaining a healthy respiratory system
6. Measure the impact of preventive measures such as vaccines for acute respiratory infections in reducing the burden of CLDs in childhood
7. Determine the role of personalised medicine and gene therapy in children with CLDs
8. Investigate the role of point of care testing and other healthcare innovations including artificial intelligence n prevention and management of acute infections in children with CLDs.
Keywords: respiratory infection, chronic lung disease, childhood, paedaitrics, pulmonology
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