Validation of LIBSS and biomarker identification
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal validation of Liverpool Bronchiolitis Severity Score and investigation into predictive severity biomarkers in children under two years with bronchiolitis and viral induced wheeze
IRAS ID
215393
Contact name
Paul McNamara
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Virus induced respiratory symptoms, particularly in the pre-school years, are a common cause of respiratory morbidity in children in the UK and worldwide. Bronchiolitis, an infection of the bronchioles (small airways in the chest) typically caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is one of the best described and commonest causes of respiratory symptoms in this age group. Until recently, the diagnosis of bronchiolitis was limited in the UK to children < one year of age but recent NICE guidance have increased this to 2 years in line with the USA and other parts of the world. Previously many children with 'bronchiolitis' symptoms caused by RSV between 1-2 years of age in this country were described as having viral induced wheeze.
Infection with viruses such as RSV in children under 2 years causes a spectrum of disease ranging from severe life-threatening bronchiolitis needing intensive care, to mild upper respiratory symptoms. However, overall 2-3% of all children are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis in their first year of life. Once in hospital, treatment/management is mainly supportive, i.e. help with feeding and breathing but despite this, children can deteriorate very rapidly. As part of an NIHR-funded study, we have developed the Liverpool Bronchiolitis Severity score (LIBSS) to help healthcare professionals assess how sick a child is with bronchiolitis/viral induced wheeze.
The aim of this study is to see how well LIBSS works in children < 2 years of age admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis/viral induced wheeze and whether it could be used to predict those children that get worse. We also want to see whether LIBSS responses correlate with other markers of disease severity such as the amount of virus or levels of inflammatory proteins found in respiratory secretions in the nose.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2275
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion