Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland and Erasmus MC have received the BeterKeten subsidy for lung research for premature children. It concerns an amount of 207,000 euros.
About 8% of all children are born prematurely. Children born prematurely more often have respiratory complaints in the first year of life and a lower lung function; in the long term they are more likely to develop chronic lung diseases. In Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Maasstad hospital, Albert Schweitzer hospital and Erasmus MC, it is expected that these children can be helped even better in the future thanks to the LONG LOVE study. Last week, Evelien Klokman presented a symbolic check worth 207,000 euros on behalf of the BeterKeten foundation. This allows a PhD student to be recruited for this study.
‘We know that not only premature birth has an impact on lung function, but other risk factors, such as viral infections and smoke exposure, also influence the lung health of preterm infants. It is therefore important to determine how we can influence the risk factors in favor of healthier lungs, ‘said initiators pediatrician Gerdien Tramper and pediatric lung specialist Ismé de Kleer of Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland.
Newly set up care path
In a newly set up care path, modifiable risk factors in the first 18 months after premature birth are detected and addressed. As a result, the project team expects to improve lung health outcomes in preterm infants. To find out the risk factors, the research team uses, among other things, eHealth (questionnaires) and innovative home measurements of lung function and ambient air. Interventions that are applied are in the field of nutrition, lifestyle advice and / or medication. We hope this will improve lung health during a critical period of lung development. This may also have positive long-term effects.
Pediatrician Tramper: ‘The grant of 207,000 euros gives a nice and strong impetus to the cooperation between doctors and researchers within the region for premature children. The BeterKeten Foundation has previously supported the collaboration of the project for the perinatal center and neonatal care. By conducting joint research, we further strengthen mutual cooperation and improve the quality of care ‘.
Stichting BeterKeten
The BeterKeten Foundation, which is funding the research, aims to stimulate and improve cooperation between hospitals in the Groot-Rijnmond region in the field of patient care, training and science. For the fourth time, the foundation is investing in three promising joint PhD programs, of which the LONG LOVE study is one this year. The other two are about the best approach for breast-conserving operations at the Albert Schweitzer hospital and about better diagnostics for a specific tumor in the digestive system of the Maasstad Hospital.
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