Investigating markers of pulmonary aspiration in bronchoalveolar lavage from children with severe neurodisability

Abstract

AbstractRespiratory exacerbations are a frequent cause of hospitalisation in children with severe neurodisability (ND). Direct aspiration of food/saliva, reflux aspiration of gastric contents or a combination of both is thought to be a common cause of respiratory symptoms and disease, particularly when this occurs ‘silently’. A number of aspiration biomarkers, including bile acids and pepsin, have been proposed, however, no gold-standard diagnostic tests are currently available. In children with severe ND at high risk of both direct and reflux aspiration, we analysed lower airway samples for saliva- and/or gastric-specific proteins with biomarker potential.