What microbes are important in causing long-term lung disease in very young children?

Babies who survive premature birth can develop a condition called "chronic lung disease of prematurity" (CLD). Although modern neonatal intensive care has resulted in improved survival after extreme prematurity, up to one third of babies who weigh less than 1 kg develop CLD. Symptoms include cough, wheezing and breathlessness. These children need long-term supplemental oxygen and have a higher risk of hospital admission.

Little is known about what causes CLD, although many scientists believe that microbes (bacteria and viruses) are involved. However, previous studies have produced conflicting results about how microbes are involved in CLD, and which specific microbes are important.

Dr Bruce and his team will use cutting edge molecular biology techniques to identify which microbes are involved and to determine how active these microbes are in the lungs of babies with CLD. This study aims to resolve the conflicting results from previous studies. Once we know which microbes are involved in CLD and how they cause the condition, we will have taken a big step closer to identifying early treatments that might prevent or successfully treat CLD.

Grant: Project Grant
Duration: 12 months
Amount awarded: £63,003
Relevant disease area(s): chronic neonatal lung disease
Relevant age group(s): all