Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) for children with moderate to severe asthma attacks
Understanding the role of bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) in pediatric acute asthma exacerbations: A prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled trial.
This project checks whether starting BPAP early helps children with moderate to severe asthma attacks in the emergency room breathe easier and need less continuous inhaled medicine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193883 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If a child comes to the pediatric emergency department with a moderate to severe asthma attack that does not improve after first-line treatment, they may be randomly assigned to receive early BPAP or a control intervention under double-blind conditions. Neither families nor clinicians will know which treatment was given during the acute phase. The team will track breathing status, use of continuous beta-agonist therapy, need for hospital admission, and any side effects. The trial looks at safety and whether BPAP helps open airways, clear mucus, and shorten the time children need intensive inhaled medicines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children who present to a pediatric emergency department with moderate to severe asthma exacerbations that do not improve after first-line therapy are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: Children with mild asthma that responds to first-line treatment or those with contraindications to non-invasive ventilation (for example facial trauma or inability to protect the airway) are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, early BPAP could help children recover faster from severe asthma attacks, reduce the need for continuous bronchodilator therapy, and lower hospital admissions.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller studies and case reports in adults and limited pediatric series have suggested non-invasive ventilation can help bronchospasm, but high-quality randomized trials in children have been lacking.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Patrick Thomas — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Patrick Thomas
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 below.