A safer treatment for lung injury in premature infants

A Safer Glucocorticoid to Treat Neonatal Lung Injury with Limited Adverse Neurologic Effects

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10875293

This study is looking at a new inhaled medicine called ciclesonide to see if it can help improve lung health in premature babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia while keeping their brain development safe, offering a potentially better option than current treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875293 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new inhaled glucocorticoid, ciclesonide, to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. The study aims to determine if ciclesonide can reduce lung injury without causing harmful effects on brain development, which is a significant concern with current treatments like dexamethasone. By using a combination of laboratory and clinical approaches, the research will explore the safety and efficacy of this new treatment in neonates. The goal is to provide a safer alternative that helps improve lung function while minimizing neurological risks.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants born at or before 28 weeks of gestation who are at risk for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Not a fit: Patients who are not premature or who do not have acute lung injury may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safer treatment option for lung injury in premature infants, reducing the risk of long-term neurological damage.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that inhaled glucocorticoids can be effective in treating asthma without significant adverse effects, suggesting potential for success with this new approach.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acute Lung InjuryAcute Pulmonary Injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.