Long-term endotypes of prematurity-related lung disease in former preemies
Official title: Long-term Endotypes of Prematurity Associated Respiratory Disease (LEOPARD)
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-11404818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study looking at why some babies born very early develop lasting breathing problems and how their genes might explain these different paths.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,835,233 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164570-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children born before 28 weeks gestation who are now school-age or older and have available genetic data or DNA samples from prior NICU studies.
✕Less likely to help
Very young or later-diagnosed preterm infants not yet studied, or cases without usable genetic data, may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows about 2,000 children who were born extremely premature and already have DNA data or samples. Researchers will analyze gene pathways to identify distinct “endotypes” of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and related lung conditions that emerge years after birth. By linking early NICU experiences with later health outcomes, the study aims to reveal mechanism-based targets for prevention or treatment. The work builds on existing cohorts from the NICU and child follow-up programs to understand who is at risk and why. The goal is to translate these insights into more personalized care for children affected by prematurity-related lung disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to earlier prediction of who is at risk and pave the way for targeted therapies to prevent or treat chronic lung problems in individuals born extremely preterm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic analyses have identified links between prematurity and lung outcomes, but this study aims to define specific endotypes with greater precision.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamvas, Aaron — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hamvas, Aaron
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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.