Understanding asthma and wheeze in children
The All Age Asthma Cohort (ALLIANCE) of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Pediatric Arm
This study is trying to understand how asthma and wheezing in children develop and change over time to help create better, personalized treatments for them as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | LMU Klinikum Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Cologne and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT02496468 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms that determine different asthma and wheeze trajectories in children and their transition into adulthood. By establishing a clinical cohort of children with new-onset wheeze or asthma, the study will utilize standardized instruments and quality control measures across multiple sites to gather data on genetic, environmental, and molecular factors. The goal is to develop personalized treatment approaches that target distinct mechanisms of asthma, potentially leading to secondary prevention early in the disease process.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 6 months to 18 years with a history of wheeze or a doctor-diagnosed asthma.
Not a fit: Patients with known inborn or perinatal pulmonary diseases or significant respiratory comorbidities may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for childhood asthma, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in understanding asthma phenotypes, but this specific approach focusing on early childhood and transition to adulthood is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * informed consent by parents (and by children if age \> 8 years) * age 6 months to 18 years * term delivery (≥ 37 weeks) * active/passive understanding of German * age 6 months - \< 6 years: preschool wheeze (more than two episodes of wheeze during 12 months prior to inclusion) * age at least 6 years: doctor diagnosed asthma (according to current guidelines) Exclusion Criteria: * known inborn or perinatal pulmonary disease * airway malformation * oxygen therapy after birth with a duration of more than 24 hours * ventilator support or mechanical ventilation after birth * diagnoses of cystic fibrosis; primary ciliary dyskinesia * heart failure diagnosed after birth affecting pulmonary circulation * major respiratory diseases such as e.g. interstitial lung disease * any current non-atopic comorbidity * fever of at least 38.5°C during the last two weeks prior to the planned first visit
Where this trial is running
Cologne and 4 other locations
- University Children's Hospital Cologne, Department of Paediatric Allergology and Pneumology — Cologne, Germany (Recruiting)
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease — Hanover, Germany (Recruiting)
- Universitaetsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Airway Research Center North — Lübeck, Germany (Recruiting)
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitaetsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center — Marburg, Germany (Recruiting)
- Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Comprehensive Pulmonary Center Munich — Munich, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bianca Schaub, MD — Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Comprehensive Pulmonary Center Munich
- Study coordinator: Esther Zeitlmann, Diplom
- Email: esther.zeitlmann@med.uni-muenchen.de
- Phone: +49894400
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.