The AREST CF project focuses on the assessment, treatment and prevention of CF lung disease in children.
It targets disease prevention commencing at diagnosis in children with CF identified by newborn screening.
The driving force behind this research is to significantly extend the age at which CF patients begin to experience failing lung health.
History
The AREST CF program has grown from an early surveillance program initiated in Perth in 1999 that involved obtaining bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to evaluate pulmonary (lung) infection and inflammation and infant lung function testing.
The program was extended to include measurement of preschool lung function in 2003 and chest computed tomography (CT) scanning in 2005.
The Royal Childrens Hospital based in Melbourne joined the program in 2005 and we have been successfully operating as a single entity since.
The current program consists of a core platform, containing both routine clinical and research aspects, and additional research studies. Children are assessed at various times, including: annual surveillance assessment; at routine clinic attendances; on hospitalisation for respiratory exacerbations; and following treatment to eradicate pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Cystic fibrosis
How can I find out more about Cystic Fibrosis?
Use the links below to access the latest information about cystic fibrosis from Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
Our logo
AREST CF stands for Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis. We have the head and shoulders of a young child and we use the f as our airway to highlight breathing difficulties that people with CF have. The red stop sign represents our desire to stop lung disease early in life so that children will grow up to lead happy healthy lifes.