Professor Graham Hall

Metabolomics to predict asthma in children (MAP Study)

Childhood asthma begins as wheeze (a whistling sound produced by the airways during breathing) during pre­school age.

DEFEND CF: Biomarkers to define the treatment end-point for pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis

The next generation of impact in cystic fibrosis

Lung damage in children with CF occurs much earlier than previously thought, and proving this is related to the decline that occurs later will create new paradigms for prevention and treatment.

Preterm Paediatric Inhaled Corticosteroids Intervention (PICSI)

Understanding if ongoing inflammation in the lungs contributes to the poor lung health experienced by some children who were born preterm.

Developing sensitive endpoints for respiratory disease progression in children with neuromuscular disease

We hope that through earlier diagnosis and treatment of muscle weakness during sleep, we can prevent future lung failure in children with neuromuscular disorders.

Personalised, machine learning based prediction of asthma in children

Understanding the relative contributions of the lung, respiratory muscles and the blood vessels to severity of chronic lung disease in very preterm infants (PIFCO Follow-up)

The Global Asthma Network: Understanding asthma in urban and regional Western Australia

Preventing perioperative respiratory complications in children with recurrent respiratory symptoms

Predicting long term lung health outcomes in young adults born very preterm (WALHIP 19 year old follow-up)

LIFECYCLE - Early Life Stressors and LifeCycle Health

Developing clinical predictors of disease progression in children with neuromuscular disorders to prevent future respiratory failure

Biomarkers to define the treatment end-point for pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis

PREDICT CF: Assessing the role of lung clearance index in predicting disease progression in children with cystic fibrosis

Objective measures of bronchial hyper-responsiveness for asthma diagnosis in young children: Mannitol and exercise challenge testing

Developing metabolomics profiles to differentiate between healthy, preschool wheeze and asthma

The development and refinement of a sensitive bedside test to continually measure the severity of BPD and lung development in preterm infants

A process and impact evaluation of use of a Powered Wheelchair Standing Device by boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Early-life stressors and LifeCycle health - LifeCycle

Many Healthy Lungs

In partnership with Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, we aim to improve Aboriginal lung health by determining for the first time the baseline lung function of Aboriginal Australians.

Which reference equation should we use for interpreting spirometry values for First Nations Australians? A cross-sectional study

To evaluate the suitability of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 other/mixed and GLI-2022 global reference equations for evaluating the respiratory capacity of First Nations Australians. 

Determinants of lung function development from birth to age 5 years: an interrupted time series analysis of a South African birth cohort

Early life is a key period that determines long-term health. Lung development in childhood predicts lung function attained in adulthood and morbidity and mortality across the life course. We aimed to assess the effect of early-life lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and associated risk factors on lung development from birth to school age in a South African birth cohort.

Lung function changes in children exposed to mine fire smoke in infancy

Chronic, low-intensity air pollution exposure has been consistently associated with reduced lung function throughout childhood. However, there is limited research regarding the implications of acute, high-intensity air pollution exposure. We aimed to determine whether there were any associations between early life exposure to such an episode and lung growth trajectories.

Oscillometry and spirometry are not interchangeable when assessing the bronchodilator response in children and young adults born preterm

The European Respiratory Society Oscillometry Taskforce identified that clinical correlates of bronchodilator responses are needed to advance oscillometry in clinical practice. The understanding of bronchodilator-induced oscillometry changes in preterm lung disease is poor. Here we describe a comparison of bronchodilator assessments performed using oscillometry and spirometry in a population born very preterm and explore the relationship between bronchodilator-induced changes in respiratory function and clinical outcomes.

Elevated leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate from preterm-born infants

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), possibly contributing to persistent respiratory morbidity after preterm birth. We aimed to assess if inflammatory markers were elevated in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of infants born very prematurely (< 32 weeks gestation) at 12-16 corrected months of age, and if increased levels were associated with BPD diagnosis and respiratory morbidity.

Risk factors for poorer respiratory outcomes in adolescents and young adults born preterm

The respiratory outcomes for adult survivors of preterm birth in the postsurfactant era are wide-ranging with prognostic factors, especially those encountered after the neonatal period, poorly understood.

No association between in utero exposure to emissions from a coalmine fire and post-natal lung function

Studies linking early life exposure to air pollution and subsequent impaired lung health have focused on chronic, low-level exposures in urban settings. We aimed to determine whether in utero exposure to an acute, high-intensity air pollution episode impaired lung function 7-years later.

The ventilatory response to hypoxia is blunted in some preterm infants during the second year of life

Preterm birth and subsequent neonatal ventilatory treatment disrupts development of the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). An attenuated HVR has been identified in preterm neonates, however it is unknown whether the attenuation persists into the second year of life.

Factors influencing participation in home, school, and community settings by children and adolescents with neuromuscular disorders: A qualitative descriptive study

This study explored how children and adolescents with a neuromuscular disorder (NMD) and their parents experienced barriers and enablers to the child's participation.

Longitudinal effects of prenatal exposure to plastic-derived chemicals and their metabolites on asthma and lung function from childhood into adulthood

Environmental exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), chemicals used in the production of plastics, may increase risk for asthma and allergies. However, little is known about the long-term effects of early life exposure to these compounds.

Development of a Symptom-Based Tool for Screening of Children at High Risk of Preschool Asthma

Despite advances in asthma therapeutics, the burden remains highest in preschool children; therefore, it is critical to identify primary care tools that distinguish preschool children at high risk for burdensome disease for further evaluation.

Normative data for multiple breath washout outcomes in school-aged Caucasian children

The multiple breath nitrogen washout (N2MBW) technique is increasingly used to assess the degree of ventilation inhomogeneity in school-aged children with lung disease. However, reference values for healthy children are currently not available.

Normative multiple-breath washout data in school-aged children corrected for sensor error

ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests

Appropriate interpretation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) involves the classification of observed values as within/outside the normal range based on a reference population of healthy individuals, integrating knowledge of physiological determinants of test results into functional classifications and integrating patterns with other clinical data to estimate prognosis.

Asthma and allergies in a cohort of adolescents conceived with ART

Research question: Are asthma and allergies more common in adolescents conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) compared with adolescents conceived without?

Association between early respiratory viral infections and structural lung disease in infants with cystic fibrosis

Infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop structural lung disease early in life, and viral infections are associated with progressive lung disease. We hypothesized that the presence of respiratory viruses would be associated with structural lung disease on computed tomography (CT) of the chest in infants with CF.

Characterisation of lung function trajectories and associated early-life predictors in an Australian birth cohort study

There is growing evidence that lung function in early-life predicts later lung function. Adverse events over the lifespan might influence an individual’s lung function trajectory, resulting in poor respiratory health. The aim of this study is to identify early-life risk factors and their impact on lung function trajectories to prevent long-term lung impairments.

Clinical significance and applications of oscillometry

Recently, "Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry" was published, which reviewed the physiological basis of oscillometric measures and detailed the technical factors related to equipment and test performance, quality assurance and reporting of results. Here we present a review of the clinical significance and applications of oscillometry.

Addressing Race in Pulmonary Function Testing by Aligning Intent and Evidence With Practice and Perception

The practice of using race or ethnicity in medicine to explain differences between individuals is being called into question because it may contribute to biased medical care and research that perpetuates health disparities and structural racism.

Quality of life is poorly correlated to lung disease severity in school-aged children with cystic fibrosis

There is no data exclusively on the relationship between health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and lung disease severity in early school-aged children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Using data from the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF) we assessed the relationships between HRQOL, lung function and structure.

Variants associated with HHIP expression have sexdifferential effects on lung function

Lung function is highly heritable and differs between the sexes throughout life. However, little is known about sexdifferential genetic effects on lung function. We aimed to conduct the first genome-wide genotype-by-sex interaction study on lung function to identify genetic effects that differ between males and females.

Associations between respiratory and vascular function in early childhood

The link between respiratory and vascular health is well documented in adult populations. Impaired lung function is consistently associated with thicker arteries and higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited data on this relationship in young children and the studies that exist have focussed on populations at high risk of cardiorespiratory morbidity.

Does machine learning have a role in the prediction of asthma in children?

Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease in childhood. There has been a significant worldwide effort to develop tools/methods to identify children's risk for asthma as early as possible for preventative and early management strategies. Unfortunately, most childhood asthma prediction tools using conventional statistical models have modest accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive value.

Lung inflammation and simulated airway resistance in infants with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by small airway disease; but central airways may also be affected. We hypothesized that airway resistance estimated from computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methodology in infants with CF was higher than controls and that early airway inflammation in infants with CF is associated with airway resistance.

Bullying and psychosocial adjustment among children with and without asthma

Children with asthma face serious mental health risk, but the pathways remain unclear. This study aimed to examine bullying victimisation and perpetration in children with asthma and a comparison sample without a chronic health condition, and the role of bullying in moderating psychosocial adjustment outcomes for those with asthma. A sample of children with and without asthma, and their parents, were recruited from hospital clinics.

Collecting exhaled breath condensate from non-ventilated preterm-born infants: a modified method

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collection is a non-invasive, safe method for measurement of biomarkers in patients with lung disease. Other methods of obtaining samples from the lungs, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, are invasive and require anaesthesia/sedation in neonates and infants. EBC is particularly appealing for assessing biomarkers in preterm-born infants, a population at risk of ongoing lung disease.

Official ERS technical standard: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for static lung volumes in individuals of European ancestry

Measurement of lung volumes across the life course is critical to the diagnosis and management of lung disease. The aim of the study was to use the Global Lung Function Initiative methodology to develop all-age multi-ethnic reference equations for lung volume indices determined using body plethysmography and gas dilution techniques.

Variants associated with HHIP expression have sex-differential effects on lung function

Lung function is highly heritable and differs between the sexes throughout life. However, little is known about sex-differential genetic effects on lung function. We aimed to conduct the first genome-wide genotype-by-sex interaction study on lung function to identify genetic effects that differ between males and females.

Pulmonary Gas Exchange Improves over the First Year in Preterm Infants with and without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Right shift of the peripheral oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) versus inspired oxygen pressure (PIO2) curve is a sensitive marker of pulmonary gas exchange. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on gas exchange and right-to-left shunt in the neonatal period, and its evolution over the first year of life.

Lung abnormalities do not influence aerobic capacity in school children born preterm

Children born preterm have impaired lung function and altered lung structure. However, there are conflicting reports on how preterm birth impacts aerobic exercise capacity in childhood. We aimed to investigate how neonatal history and a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) impact the relationship between function and structure of the lung, and aerobic capacity in school-aged children born very preterm.

Structural determinants of long term functional outcomes in young children with cystic fibrosis

Chest CT identifies children at an early age who have adverse long-term outcomes

Association between diesel engine exhaust exposure and lung function in Australian gold miners

Diesel engine exhaust exposures were higher in underground miners and had a negative association with their lung function over a single 12-h shift

Impact of HIV and antiretroviral drug exposure on lung growth and function over 2 years in an African Birth Cohort

HIV exposure is associated with altered lung function in early life, with a vulnerable HIV-exposed uninfected subgroup based on maternal disease severity

Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry

The aim of the task force was to provide technical recommendations regarding oscillometry measurement

Early life exposure to coal mine fire smoke emissions and altered lung function in young children

Infant exposure to coal mine fire emissions could be associated with long-term impairment of lung reactance

Early respiratory viral infections in infants with cystic fibrosis

Early viral infections were associated with greater neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial pathogens

Standardization of Spirometry 2019 Update. An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement

Standards and consensus recommendations are presented for manufacturers, clinicians, operators, and researchers

Upper Airway Pathology Contributes to Respiratory Symptoms in Children Born Very Preterm

The upper airway may play a role in the respiratory symptoms experienced by some very preterm children and should be considered by clinicians

Selection of appropriate spirometry reference values in Aboriginal Australians

The Global Lung Function ‘Caucasian’ and ‘Other’ spirometry equations do not match healthy Aboriginal FEV1 and FVC data

Could home-based FeNO measurements breathe new life into asthma management?

Developing a FeNO test that is affordable enough to allow daily measurements, patients will be able to access quantifiable data to assist them to monitor their asthma

Long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors

Survivors of CDH may have significant adverse long-term medical and psychosocial issues that would be better recognised and managed in a multidisciplinary clinic

Identifying pediatric lung disease: A comparison of forced oscillation technique outcomes

These findings suggest the utility of specific FOT outcomes is dependent on the respiratory disease being assessed

Effect of Albuterol Premedication vs Placebo on the Occurrence of Respiratory Adverse Events in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomies: The REACT Randomized Clinical Trial

Determine whether inhaled albuterol sulfate (salbutamol sulfate) premedication decreases the risk of perioperative respiratory adverse events

Bronchodilator responsiveness in children with asthma is not influenced by spacer device selection

Spacer device was not associated with clinically important differences in lung function following bronchodilator inhalation in children with asthma

Single-breath washout and association with structural lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis

Acinar ventilation inhomogeneity measured by single-breath washout was not associated with structural lung disease on CT

Key paediatric messages from the 2018 European Respiratory Society International Congress

Group Chairs and early career members highlight some of the most interesting findings in the field of paediatrics presented at the 2018 international ERS Congress

Maternal exposure to indoor air pollution and birth outcomes

Although formaldehyde concentrations were very low, this finding is consistent with other studies of formaldehyde and poor birth outcomes

Intra-breath measures of respiratory mechanics in healthy African infants detect risk of respiratory illness in early life

Intra-breath forced oscillation technique can identify healthy infants at risk of developing LRTI, wheezing or severe illness in the first year of life

The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) Network ERS Clinical Research Collaboration: how international collaboration can shape clinical practice

The Global Lung Function Initiative is working to improve the interpretation of lung function: an update on current work and the opportunities for further engagement

Increasing diversity within the Global Lung Function Initiative

The Global Lung Function Initiative has worked to develop all‐age, multi‐ethnic reference equations for the major clinical lung function tests

ERS technical standard on bronchial challenge testing: pathophysiology and methodology of indirect airway challenge testing

Assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness are valuable tools to understand and to monitor airway function and to characterise the underlying asthma phenotype to guide therapy

Increased prevalence of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Expiratory flow limitation is more prevalent in children born preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and is associated with airway obstruction

Persistent and progressive long-term lung disease in survivors of preterm birth

This review aims to summarise what is known about the long-term pulmonary outcomes of contemporary preterm birth

The impact of respiratory viruses on lung health after preterm birth

The aim of this review is to highlight the risk factors that may contribute to increased susceptibility to viral respiratory infections among preterm infants

The association between Staphylococcus aureus and subsequent bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosis

De novo S. aureus acquisition at age 3 is associated with later bronchiectasis and FEF25-75 in children with CF

Respiratory function in healthy Emirati children using forced oscillations

Forced oscillation technique measurements were feasible in Emirati school-children. New forced oscillation technique reference equation in Emirati children were derived.

Prediction models for the development of COPD: A systematic review

We aimed to systematically review and assess the performance of all published models that predicted development of COPD

Inhalational versus Intravenous Induction of Anesthesia in Children with a High Risk of Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Anesthesiologists should consider using an intravenous propofol induction technique in children who are at high risk of experiencing perioperative respiratory adverse event

Lung function trajectories throughout childhood in survivors of very preterm birth: a longitudinal cohort study

Lung function trajectories are impaired in survivors of very preterm birth

Determinants of early-life lung function in African infants

To assess the determinants of early lung function in African infants.

How ‘healthy’ do children really need to be? Going beyond the limits

The authors assessed the impact of including preschool‐aged children with a history of preterm birth, early life wheeze, asthma diagnoses and/or recent respiratory symptoms in healthy reference ranges for respiratory impedance using the forced oscillation technique (FOT).

Is forced oscillation technique the next respiratory function test of choice in childhood asthma

While spirometry contributes to asthma diagnosis and management in older children, it has a limited role in younger children whom are unable to perform FOM.

Deep or awake removal of laryngeal mask airway in children at risk of respiratory adverse events undergoing tonsillectomy - a randomised controlled trial

We found no evidence for a difference in the timing of the laryngeal mask airways removal on the incidence of respiratory adverse events

Preschool Multiple-Breath Washout Testing. An Official American Thoracic Society Technical Statement

Consensus recommendations are outlined to direct preschool device design, test performance, and data analysis for the MBW technique

The clinical utility of lung clearance index in early cystic fibrosis lung disease is not impacted by the number of multiple-breath washout trials

This study aimed to determine if relationships between LCI and clinical outcomes of CF lung disease differ when only two acceptable MBW trials are assessed.

Persistent activation of interlinked type 2 airway epithelial gene networks in sputum-derived cells from aeroallergen-sensitized symptomatic asthmatics

Our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms operative at baseline in the airway mucosa in atopic asthmatic with natural aeroallergen exposure

Effect of posture on lung ventilation distribution and associations with structure in children with cystic fibrosis

Background: We assessed the effect of posture on ventilation distribution and the impact on associations with structural lung disease.

Official ERS technical standards: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for the carbon monoxide transfer factor for Caucasians

This is the largest collection of normative T LCO data, and the first global reference values available for T LCO.

Multiple-breath washout outcomes are sensitive to inflammation and infection in children with cystic fibrosis

The lung clearance index may be a useful surveillance tool for monitoring the presence and extent of lower airway inflammation and infection

The global lung function initiative (GLI) network: Bringing the world’s respiratory reference values together

The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) Network has become the largest resource for reference values for routine lung function testing ever assembled.

Air trapping in early cystic fibrosis lung disease-Does CT tell the full story?

Mosaic attenuation on expiratory chest computed tomography (CT) is common in early life cystic fibrosis (CF) and often referred to as "air trapping"

Altered lung structure and function in mid-childhood survivors of very preterm birth

To obtain comprehensive data on lung structure and function in mid-childhood from survivors of preterm birth.

Premedication with salbutamol prior to surgery does not decrease the risk of perioperative respiratory adverse events in school-aged children

Premedication with salbutamol to children prior to their surgery did not reduce their risk of Perioperative respiratory adverse events

Early lung disease in infants and preschool children with cystic fibrosis: What have we learned and what should we do about it?

This review summarizes what we have learned about early lung disease in children with CF and discusses the implications for clinical practice and research

ERS technical standard on bronchial challenge testing: General considerations and performance of methacholine challenge tests

This international task force report updates general considerations for bronchial challenge testing and the performance of the methacholine challenge test.

Mannitol challenge testing for asthma in a community cohort of young adults

We aimed to quantify the diagnostic utility of mannitol challenge testing for asthma in a community cohort and a symptomatic wheezing subset of this cohort.

Investigating the relationship between environmental factors and respiratory health outcomes in school children using the forced oscillation technique

The significance of both indoor and outdoor sources of air pollution and effect modifiers such as green space and heating require further investigation

The effect of endotracheal tubes versus laryngeal mask airways on perioperative respiratory adverse events in infants: A randomised controlled trial

Evaluating the difference of the effects of Laryngeal mask airways compared to endotracheal tubes in older children (>1 year) in incidents of PRAE in infants.

Key paediatric messages from the 2016 European respiratory society international congress

Highlight of some of the most interesting abstracts presented at the 2016 ERS International Congress, which was held in London

Lung function in African infants in the Drakenstein child health study impact of lower respiratory tract illness

Early life lower respiratory tract illness impairs lung function at 1 year, independent of baseline lung function

Early lung surveillance of cystic fibrosis: what have we learnt?

Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) provides an opportunity to commence management and therapeutic interventions significantly earlier

Key paediatric messages from the 2016 european respiratory society international congress

In this article, the Group Chairs of the Paediatric Assembly of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) highlight some of the most interesting abstracts presented at the 2016 ERS International Congress, which was held in London.

End-inspiratory molar mass step correction for analysis of infant multiple breath washout tests

We aimed to evaluate the use of the EIMM-step method in a broad range of infants.

Respiratory function and symptoms in young preterm children in the contemporary era

Preterm children have worse lung function than healthy controls

High success rate of lung function testing in healthy, unsedated 1- and 2-year-old South African children

Lung function measures in a health, unsedated 1- and 2-year-old children in a South African birth cohort study

Reference values for spirometry and their use in test interpretation: A Position Statement from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science

The ANZSRS recommends the adoption of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) 2012 spirometry reference values throughout Australia and New Zealand

Key paediatric messages from Amsterdam

Key messages from the abstracts presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress

An Official ATS/ERS Workshop Report: Evaluation of Respiratory Mechanics and Function in the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units

This report summarizes techniques available for ventilated and spontaneously breathing infants and children in the ICU

Multiple breath washout cannot be used for tidal breath parameter analysis in infants

There are differences in tidal breathing parameters during multiple breath washout testing with SF6 gas mixture in infants

A systematic approach to multiple breath nitrogen washout test quality

The application of the systematic review improved inter-observer agreement but did not affect reported multiple breath washout outcomes

Lung Clearance Index and Structural Lung Disease on Computed Tomography in Early Cystic Fibrosis

Lung clearance index may be a useful surveillance tool to monitor structural lung disease in preschool and school-age children with cystic fibrosis

Reference values for spirometry and their use in test interpretation: A Position Statement from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science

The ANZSRS recommends the adoption of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) 2012 spirometry reference values throughout Australia and New Zealand

Impact of lung disease on respiratory impedance in young children with cystic fibrosis

The present study investigated whether lung function measured by forced oscillation technique would be impaired in the presence of infection,...

Progressive ventilation inhomogeneity in infants with cystic fibrosis after pulmonary infection

This study aimed to determine how pulmonary inflammation & infection impacts on ventilation distribution throughout early life in people with cystic fibrosis.

Infant respiratory infections and later respiratory hospitalisation in childhood

The aim of this study was to use total-population based data on an otherwise healthy population of children to assess the relationship between early...

Prediction of peri-operative adverse respiratory events in children: The role of exhaled nitric oxide.

Increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may be a more objective predictor in identifying children at higher risk of peri-operative adverse respiratory...

Multiple-breath washout as a lung function test in cystic fibrosis: A cystic fibrosis foundation workshop report

Recent technological advances in equipment design have produced gains in popularity for this test among cystic fibrosis (CF) researchers and clinicians...

Lung function following very preterm birth in the era of 'new' bronchopulmonary dysplasia

The pathophysiology of BPD has changed in recent years as advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival of smaller, more preterm, infants who...

Defining the appropriate waiting time between multiple-breath nitrogen washout measurements

This letter addresses the recommendations by the American Thoracic Society & European Respiratory Society in 2005, that patients must wait 15-60mins between...

Reduced forced vital capacity in Aboriginal Australians: Biology or missing evidence?

This editorial article addresses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung function testing in Aboriginal Australians.

Respiratory impedance in healthy unsedated South African infants: Effects of maternal smoking

Non-invasive techniques for measuring lung mechanics in infants are needed for a better understanding of lung growth and function...

Influence of gestational age on dead space and alveolar ventilation in preterm infants ventilated with volume guarantee

Ventilated preterm infant lungs are vulnerable to overdistension and underinflation.

Rationale, design and methods for the 22 year follow-up of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study

Young adulthood is a critical life period for health and health behaviours.

The influence of sighing respirations on infant lung function measured using multiple breath washout gas mixing techniques

There is substantial interest in studying lung function in infants, to better understand the early life origins of chronic lung diseases such as asthma.

Lung function in African infants: A pilot study

Unsedated infant lung function measures of tidal breathing, MBW, and eNO are feasible in a semi-rural African setting

Peri-operative adverse respiratory events in children

We screened for risk factors from children's and their families' histories, and assessed the usefulness of common markers of allergic sensitisation of the...

Early respiratory infection is associated with reduced spirometry in children with cystic fibrosis

We hypothesized that the presence of these markers of cystic fibrosis lung disease in the first 2 years of life would be associated with reduced lung...

Using lung function measurements to greater advantage in patients with lung disease: Which test and when?

This paper is an introduction to a series of articles about improved measurement of lung function in patients with chronic lung disease.

Smoking during pregnancy, vitamin C supplementation, and infant respiratory health

This article discusses the merits and potential shortcomings of a study reported previously showing that giving Vitamin C to women who smoked during...

Vitamin D deficiency at 16 to 20 weeks' gestation is associated with impaired lung function and asthma at 6 years of age

This paper examines whether a Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy affects the child's lung function predisposition towards lung disease such as asthma.

Lung function in African infants: A pilot study

Infant lung function (ILF) testing may provide useful information about lung growth and susceptibility to respiratory disease.

Home oxygen therapy for infants and young children with acute bronchiolitis and other lower respiratory tract infections: The HiTHOx program

Recent studies have demonstrated that some children with acute bronchiolitis can be successfully managed using home oxygen therapy.

The safety and feasibility of the inhaled mannitol challenge test in young children

Mannitol challenge tests are used clinically to diagnose asthma and, in particular, exercise-induced broncoconstriction (EIB) in adults and children above 6...

Effects of adopting the new global lung function initiative 2012 reference equations on the interpretation of spirometry

The aim of this study was to document the likely interpretative effects of changing from commonly used current spirometry reference equations to the GLI2012...

Expiratory flow limitation and breathing strategies in overweight adolescents during submaximal exercise

Young people who are overweight/obese are more likely to display expFL during submaximal exercise compared with children of healthy weight.

Evaluating hypoxia during air travel in healthy infants

Up to a third of ex-preterm infants flying near term exhibit pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 85% during air travel.

Respiratory impedance and bronchodilator responsiveness in healthy children aged 2-13 years

There is limited information on changes in FOT outcomes in healthy children beyond the preschool years and the level of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR)...

Survey of clinical infant lung function testing practices

To evaluate current ILF testing practices and to survey users regarding the indications, limitations and perceived clinical benefits of ILF testing.

Novel end points for clinical trials in young children with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease commences early in the disease progression and is the most common cause of mortality.

Consensus statement for inert gas washout measurement using multiple- and single- breath tests

Inert gas washout tests, performed using the single- or multiple-breath washout technique, were first described over 60 years ago.

The Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference values reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry

We aimed to ascertain the fit of the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to contemporary Australasian spirometric data.

Characterization of maximal respiratory pressures in healthy children

Measurements of maximal voluntary inspiratory (Pi max) and expiratory (Pe max) pressures are used in the management of respiratory muscle disease...

Age- and height-based prediction bias in spirometry reference equations

Prediction bias in spirometry reference equations can arise from combining equations for different age groups,...

Pulmonary diffusing capacity in healthy Caucasian children

Previous studies of pulmonary diffusing capacity in children differed greatly in methodologies; numbers of subjects evaluated, and were performed prior to...

Clinical investigation of respiratory system admittance in preschool children

We compared the ability of Ars, to standard oscillatory outcomes, to determine respiratory disease and differentiate responses to inhaled bronchial challenges.

Early detection of lung function abnormalities in young children with cystic fibrosis

In this review, we have examined the role of lung function testing in infants and preschool children with CF.

Air travel and the risks of hypoxia in children

In infants and children with chronic respiratory disease, hypoxia is a potential risk of aircraft travel.

Air Trapping on Chest CT Is Associated with Worse Ventilation Distribution in Infants with Cystic Fibrosis

In school-aged children with cystic fibrosis (CF) structural lung damage assessed using chest CT is associated with abnormal ventilation distribution.

The all-age spirometry reference ranges reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry

Advances in statistical modelling have allowed the creation of smoothly changing spirometry reference ranges that apply across a wide age range and better...

Reference values for spirometry: The way forward for our patients

Few clinical respiratory laboratories have assessed the impact of changing reference equations on the interpretation of spirometric outcomes.

Infection, inflammation,and lung function decline in infants with cystic fibrosis

Better understanding of evolution of lung function in infants with cystic fibrosis...

Crowding and other strong predictors of upper respiratory tract carriage of otitis media-related

We investigated predictors of nasopharyngeal carriage in Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children.

Crowding and other strong predictors of upper respiratory tract carriage of otitis media-related bacteria

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae is associated with otitis media

Exhaled breath temperature in healthy children is influenced by room temperature and lung volume

Exhaled breath temperature (EBT) has been proposed for the non-invasive assessment of airway inflammation

Influence of secular trends and sample size on reference equations for lung function tests

The aim of our study was to determine the contribution of secular trends and sample size to lung function reference equations, and establish the number...

Prolonged use of wind or brass instruments does not alter lung function in musicians

Respiratory function impacts on musical expression for wind/brass (W/B) musicians. Investigation of musicians' respiratory health to date has rarely...

Changes in the FEV/FVC ratio during childhood and adolescence: an intercontinental study

In children, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC) is reportedly constant or falls linearly with age...

Increased exhaled nitric oxide in wind and brass musicians

Playing a wind or brass (W/B) instrument is considered a strenuous activity for the respiratory system.

Expression of bronchodilator response using forced oscillation technique measurements: absolute versus relative

Expression of bronchodilator response using forced oscillation technique measurements: absolute versus relative

Lung function testing in preschool-aged children with cystic fibrosis in the clinical setting

This study investigated the nature and prevalence of atypical pain responses in Rett syndrome and their relationships with specific MECP2 mutations.

Lung volume and ventilation inhomogeneity in preterm infants at 15-18 months corrected age

To assess whether lung volume and ventilation inhomogeneity in preterm infants at 15-18 months corrected age

Forced oscillation technique

Forced oscillation technique