The Role of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Airway Mucins and the Microbiome in the Early Prediction of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

Early detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath from preterm infants, collected at several timepoints within the first 4 weeks of life to predict BPD before diagnosis is made at 36 weeks PMA.

A throat swab will be taken on several timepoints within the first 4 weeks of life to detect airway mucin expression. A second throat swab will be taken as proxy for the airway microbiome.

After birth, placental biopsies will be collected for headspace VOCs analysis. A placental swab and a biopsy will be taken for microbiome analysis.

A vaginal swab will be taken before birth for microbiome analysis.

Collection of aspirates, as part of routine care, to detect mucin expression and the lung microbiome.