Investigating early life factors that affect lung development and asthma risk.

Early Life Predictors of Airway to Lung Dysanapsis

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11172017

This study is looking at how things like being overweight or having viral infections when you're young can affect the way your lungs grow, which might lead to breathing problems like COPD later on, and it's for kids and teens who want to help us understand how early life experiences shape lung health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11172017 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores how early life factors, such as obesity and viral infections, contribute to a mismatch in airway and lung development, known as dysanapsis, which can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later in life. By analyzing data from diverse birth cohorts, the study aims to identify environmental and social factors that influence lung health in children and adolescents. Participants will undergo imaging and lung function tests to assess the impact of these early exposures on their respiratory health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0-20 who may have experienced early life exposures such as obesity or respiratory infections.

Not a fit: Patients who are adults or those without a history of early life respiratory issues or environmental exposures may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for asthma and COPD in children, improving long-term respiratory health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that early life exposures can significantly impact lung development, suggesting that this research builds on established findings but focuses on a novel aspect of dysanapsis.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 Airway infections
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.