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Home Science and Research Clinical Research Collaboration: application programme iDREAM – Diagnosis and management of sleep disordered breathing in children aged less than 2 years old

iDREAM – Diagnosis and management of sleep disordered breathing in children aged less than 2 years old

CRC Chairs:
Stijn Verhulst (University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium)
Jessica Taytard (Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France)



About iDREAM

The iDREAM (Diagnosis and management of sleep disordered breathing in children aged less than 2 years old) Clinical Research Collaboration (CRC) was launched by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in 2024. Over the past decade, paediatric sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have garnered increasing attention, resulting in notable advancements in diagnosis, normative values establishment and management guidelines, primarily for children aged 2 years and older.

However, infants and young children below this age threshold have been overlooked, creating a gap in addressing their sleep-related issues. The prevalence of SDB in children varies based on factors such as population, age and diagnostic criteria, encompassing a spectrum of conditions from central sleep apnoea to OSA. Research is urgently needed to explore innovative techniques like built-in software in positive airway pressure devices, limited channel studies, artificial intelligence (AI), and connected objects for diagnosing and managing SDB in young children. Despite growing interest, research in this area has mainly focused on adults and older children.

Specific aims

With the purpose of enhancing understanding and care for infants with SDB, the CRC iDREAM aims specifically to:

  • Integrate databases by consolidating cases for epidemiological insights on SDB and OSA in < 2-year-olds.
  • Determine normative values for diagnosis and treatment guidance.
  • Standardise patient management through development of protocols for consistent and effective care.
  • Educate clinicians and families by improving the understanding and management of the disease.
  • Engage with industry by promoting research on AI and connected devices for better SDB management.

Operational aspects

To achieve the above-mentioned aims, four work packages are being composed:

  • WP1 Database: This aims to create a global database for children <two years, enhancing understanding of SDB and OSA epidemiology, management, and evolution.
  • WP2 Research: This aims to use data from WP1’s database to foster international research collaborations, enhancing understanding of SDB and OSA in infants and standardising management.
  • WP3 Artificial intelligence and connected objects: This integrates AI and connected objects to advance paediatric sleep medicine, bridging the gap in precision medicine for children under two with SDB and OSA.
  • WP4 Education and knowledge dissemination: This addresses enhancing care for children with SDB and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) through education and support for healthcare professionals, parents and families.

Stakeholders

The CRC iDREAM is composed of the Management Committee (CRC Chairs and Working Group designated leads), experts in clinical research, ERS Early Career Members, and patient representatives.

Contact

If you are interested in more information on the CRC iDREAM or would like to join the network, please contact scientific@ersnet.org.