Investigating early life factors that affect lung development and asthma risk.
Official title: Early Life Predictors of Airway to Lung Dysanapsis
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11172017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 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 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $753,018 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HL171603-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those without a history of early life respiratory issues or environmental exposures may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lovinsky-Desir, Stephanie — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lovinsky-Desir, Stephanie
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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.