Asthma – Role of the Airway Epithelium in Children with Asthma

What is the goal of this study?

The goal of this study is to learn more about the airway cells that are the first line of defense in protecting the lungs and to learn how these cells from children with asthma work differently from the cells of children without asthma.

We will look at specific genes in your airway cells that play a role in the protection against respiratory viruses and to try to understand if there is a connection between the function of these genes and the risk and frequency of asthma attacks triggered by viruses.

Who can join the study?

We are currently enrolling children with and without asthma 6-18 years old who will undergo elective surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital or at Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery.

Please go to this link to see if your child is eligible: https://is.gd/airwaystudyrea

In addition, children who are currently enrolled in Dr. Jason Debley's other study (Airway Epithelial Cell Cytokine Profiles in Children with and without Asthma) and are currently between the ages of 6-18 years old may also participate in this study.

What will happen if my child takes part in this study?

If you/your child decides to participate in the study, while your child is asleep under anesthesia for the surgery, a pulmonary study doctor will quickly brush the inside of your child's nostrils and windpipe to collect airway cell samples (for new participants only). A small amount of blood will be collected for allergy testing. There is no charge for the blood test.

You would be asked to come back to Seattle Children’s Hospital for a 30 minute follow-up visit to have your child perform 2 painless lung function tests and to briefly go over several health questions.

The airway cell samples collected are used to study gene expression and cell mechanisms in our research laboratory.

There is an optional part of this study where participants/parents complete surveys online for future occurrences of asthma attacks (for participants with asthma) or upper respiratory infections (for participants without asthma).

For asthma participants, there are symptom diaries to complete online and annual follow-up visits that will include 2 lung function tests and interval medical history.

For participating in the study, your child will receive a $25 reloadable Seattle Children’s debit gift card at the time of the follow-up visit. If you choose to have your child participate in the optional part of the study they will receive additional payment.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information, call 206-987-3651 or email the study coordinator.