title: Developmental aspects of the upper airway: report from an NHLBI Workshop, March 5-6, 2009.
abstract: The upper airway serves three important functions: respiration, swallowing, and speech. During development it undergoes significant structural and functional changes that affect its size, shape, and mechanical properties. Abnormalities of the upper airway require prompt attention, because these often alter ventilatory patterns and gas exchange, particularly during sleep when upper airway motor tone and ventilatory drive are diminished. Recognizing the relationship of early life events to lung health and disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), with cofunding from the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD), convened a workshop of extramural experts, from many disciplines. The objective of the workshop was: (1) to review the state of science in pediatric upper airway disorders; (2) to make recommendations to the Institute to fill knowledge gaps; (3) to prioritize new research directions; and (4) to capitalize on scientific opportunities. This report provides recommendations that could facilitate translation of basic research findings into practice to better diagnose, treat, and prevent airway compromise in children.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Carole L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Richard J H
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Leila A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mankarious
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arens
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Ravindhra G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Elluru
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goudy
authors.forename: Ethylin W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Jabs
authors.forename: Alex A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Eliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paydarfar
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Roger H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Joan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Richtsmeier
authors.forename: Ramon L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Thach
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tunkel
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Whitsett
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wootton
authors.forename: Carol J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Blaisdell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010372:Pediatrics; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000254:growth & development*; D015619:Respiratory System Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States