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Developmental aspects of the upper airway: report from an NHLBI Workshop, March 5-6, 2009
Carole L Marcus1, Richard J H Smith, Leila A Mankarious
1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Pediatric upper airway disorders impact breathing, swallowing, and speech. This workshop identified research needs to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these critical conditions in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pulmonology and respiratory health.
- Understanding the complex development of the upper airway.
Background:
- The upper airway is crucial for respiration, swallowing, and speech, undergoing significant developmental changes.
- Abnormalities can severely affect ventilation and gas exchange, especially during sleep.
- Early life events are linked to lung health and disease progression.
Framework:
- A National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) workshop convened experts to address pediatric upper airway disorders.
- Objectives included reviewing current science, identifying knowledge gaps, and prioritizing research.
- Recommendations aim to translate basic science into clinical practice.
Implementation:
- Focus on multidisciplinary collaboration to advance pediatric airway research.
- Strategic planning to fill critical knowledge gaps in pediatric airway function and dysfunction.
- Prioritizing research to accelerate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Implications:
- Improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pediatric airway compromise.
- Enhanced understanding of developmental impacts on airway health.
- Facilitating the translation of research findings into clinical practice for better patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The upper airway serves three important functions: respiration, swallowing, and speech. During development it undergoes significant structural and functional changes that affect its size, shape, and mechanical properties. Abnormalities of the upper airway require prompt attention, because these often alter ventilatory patterns and gas exchange, particularly during sleep when upper airway motor tone and ventilatory drive are diminished. Recognizing the relationship of early life events to lung health and disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), with cofunding from the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD), convened a workshop of extramural experts, from many disciplines. The objective of the workshop was: (1) to review the state of science in pediatric upper airway disorders; (2) to make recommendations to the Institute to fill knowledge gaps; (3) to prioritize new research directions; and (4) to capitalize on scientific opportunities. This report provides recommendations that could facilitate translation of basic research findings into practice to better diagnose, treat, and prevent airway compromise in children.
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