Study of the Gut-Lung Connection in Children With Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Conditions Observing Effects of Asthma Biologics on Gut and Lung Microbiomes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the gut-lung axis, a two-way connection between the gut and lung microbiomes, in children with respiratory or gastrointestinal conditions. This study focuses on children aged 0 to 16 years at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, Scotland. The aim is to understand what a healthy gut-lung axis looks like, how respiratory or GI diseases affect these microbiomes, and whether biologics therapy for asthma changes this interaction. The study is observational and involves children with respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, orthopedic conditions, and asthma. The study has two parts Part A is cross-sectional, comparing children with respiratory or GI issues to those undergoing orthopedic care without such problems. Samples collected include airway, blood, and stool samples, alongside dietary information through food diaries and questionnaires. Part B is longitudinal, focusing on children with asthma who are either starting biologics therapy or not, with samples collected at baseline and again 8 to 52 weeks later. This part aims to see if biologics affect the gut-lung axis. Participants will provide airway, blood, and stool samples during procedures under general anesthesia or clinical appointments, depending on their group. Researchers will analyze microbiota diversity and mediators of the gut-lung axis, as well as nutritional influences. Dietary data, clinical information, and health questionnaires will be collected to understand the relationship between diet and the gut-lung axis. The study will monitor these factors over time, especially in children receiving biologics therapy for asthma.

The Gut-Lung Axis and Respiratory Illness in Children