Archive for pulmonology
Mapping cells to create targeted treatments for interstitial lung disease
John Kennedy, MD, MSc, remembers the relative simplicity of his first genetic mapping project. In a Harvard Medical School lab, he helped map a gene for the neurological disease mucolipidosis type IV in less than a year. “I was fresh out of college. I thought with the global momentum of the Human Genome Project, we were going to ... Read More about Mapping cells to create targeted treatments for interstitial lung disease
Study suggests hypoxia overexpression causes pericytes to contribute to pulmonary hypertension
Pericytes, the multifunctional cells that work within the walls of capillaries, have been a subject of focus in the study of vascular development, cerebral blood flow, cancer, and neurodevelopment diseases. But pericytes hadn’t been truly studied for their potential role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) until they landed under the microscopes of Boston Children’s researchers. They recently ... Read More about Study suggests hypoxia overexpression causes pericytes to contribute to pulmonary hypertension
Three ways to ensure your child has the proper asthma medication
Children who have asthma should always have access to medication. But a manufacturer’s decision to stop producing a popular asthma drug has many families scrambling to find alternative medications that are covered by health insurance. Prescriptions sometimes change for families because a medication is discontinued or there are coverage changes by health insurers and pharmacies, ... Read More about Three ways to ensure your child has the proper asthma medication
Ductus arteriosus stenting could help severely ill infants with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Treatment for infants who have severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is sometimes limited. Because they haven’t physically matured, a procedure could increase the risk of serious complications, including failure of the heart’s right ventricle. A Boston Children’s Department of Cardiology study found an interventional therapy that’s potentially safe and suitable for those critically ill small infants: the placement of ... Read More about Ductus arteriosus stenting could help severely ill infants with pulmonary arterial hypertension
New hospital discharge practices could improve health of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
The chronic lung disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) affects a significant number of infants who were born early and have underdeveloped lungs. They typically require lengthy specialized care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before they can go home with their families. But getting home doesn’t mean health risks are behind them. Their parents are suddenly their ... Read More about New hospital discharge practices could improve health of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Five ways to help manage your child’s asthma this school year
While fall is a time of considerable change for children — a new school year with new challenges — it can also be especially difficult for those with asthma. Between viruses, allergies, and colder air, asthma triggers increase for many children in the fall. Late summer is an ideal time to ensure your child is ... Read More about Five ways to help manage your child’s asthma this school year
Finding a way to help newborns who can’t immediately have heart treatment
Newborns with complex congenital heart defects (CHD) and pulmonary overcirculation often need treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, some of these children are not in good enough health to withstand surgery. To address this challenge, Boston Children’s heart specialists leaned into technological innovation, their experience, and a perseverance that would ultimately confirm their belief that even the ... Read More about Finding a way to help newborns who can’t immediately have heart treatment
(Virtually) visiting the home to help control childhood asthma
Many children have difficulty taking their asthma medicine on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s a matter of feeling well and deciding not to take the medication; other times, it’s simply forgetting. But some children also don’t know how to properly use an asthma inhaler, or they can’t access their medicine in the first place. A ... Read More about (Virtually) visiting the home to help control childhood asthma
Making ionocytes: A step toward cell or gene therapy for cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators were a breakthrough for cystic fibrosis, improving the movement of chloride and water and moistening mucus secretions. But these drugs are expensive, don’t work in all patients with cystic fibrosis, and have side effects and interactions with other drugs. People who do respond to CFTR modulators must take ... Read More about Making ionocytes: A step toward cell or gene therapy for cystic fibrosis
Study seeks to identify household triggers for chronic lung disease in children
Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where air pollutants, allergens, and other irritants can make breathing difficult for children with the chronic lung disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD is the most common respiratory disease affecting children who were born prematurely. It leads to impaired lung function and respiratory symptoms similar to those associated ... Read More about Study seeks to identify household triggers for chronic lung disease in children