A method to predict severe COVID-19 in children with multiple respiratory infections
Official title: An Integrated Host-Microbe Gene Classifier to Predict SARS-CoV-2 and Severe Disease in Children with Respiratory Viral Coinfections
Funded at Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-11095883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better understand and predict how serious COVID-19 can be in kids who also have other respiratory viruses, so doctors can make smarter treatment choices for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $600,849 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173537-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095883 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing respiratory infections, particularly those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those without respiratory viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to better understand and predict the severity of COVID-19 in children who may also be infected with other respiratory viruses. By analyzing genetic information from children with respiratory viral coinfections, the study aims to identify specific features and responses that contribute to more severe disease outcomes. The researchers will use advanced techniques like metagenomic next-generation sequencing to evaluate both viral and microbial contributions to illness. This approach could help clinicians make more informed treatment decisions for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prediction and management of severe COVID-19 cases in children, potentially saving lives and reducing hospitalizations.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research approaches have shown promise in adult populations, but this specific application in pediatric patients is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kennedy, Joshua — Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Kennedy, Joshua
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in people and in the lab
Researchers at Stanford explore how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in people and in lab tests to improve protection for adults.
-
Oral small molecule inhibitors to block SARS-CoV-2 RNA replication
A Stanford-led project tests a pill that could stop SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses from copying their RNA inside infected cells.
-
Outpatient antiviral cocktails to fight SARS-CoV-2 and future RNA viruses
Researchers at Stanford are developing outpatient antiviral cocktails that could be used easily outside the hospital to treat COVID-19 and future RNA virus infections.
-
Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Proteases to Block Viral Replication
A patient-facing program aims to discover and optimize small molecules that block key SARS-CoV-2 enzymes, potentially reducing viral replication.
-
How different COVID-19 vaccines shape immune responses
This project compares immune reactions after mRNA and adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines to learn how long protection lasts and why some people get breakthrough infections or side effects.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.