BPAP in severe pediatric asthma: a new treatment pathway for kids in the ED
Official title: Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) for severe pediatric asthma exacerbations: A randomized, controlled trial.
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11416299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical trial tests whether starting BPAP, a non-invasive breathing support, in the emergency department helps kids with severe asthma recover faster and use fewer critical-care resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $363,012 |
| NIH project number | 5R34HL173384-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with severe asthma exacerbations seen in the ED who may be considered for BPAP as a second-line therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with milder asthma or those not requiring ED BPAP would not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a clear, ED-ready BPAP protocol for children with severe asthma and to establish a reliable primary outcome that reflects ICU resource use. It will use expert consensus (Delphi method) to harmonize practices across sites and create standardized asthma therapy steps for pediatrics. The study focuses on safety and feasibility to pave the way for a larger pivotal trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could shorten hospital stays and reduce the need for intensive care resources for children with severe asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research on BPAP in children is limited; this study seeks to establish a consensus protocol and a robust primary outcome for future trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwok, Maria Y — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kwok, Maria Y
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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.