The AREST CF project focuses on the assessment, treatment and prevention of CF lung disease in children under the age of seven.
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.
Research Mission Statement
AREST CF seeks to improve the detection, prevention and treatment of early respiratory disease in young children with cystic fibrosis in order to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families.
Objectives
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To better understand mechanisms underlying early lung disease
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To define early risk factors associated with lung damage
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To develop new and innovative ways of assessing early lung disease
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To define early clinical outcomes that can be used to assess severity of lung disease and response to treatment
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To develop therapeutic strategies designed to prevent or delay the onset of lung disease and to minimise the progression of lung disease
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.
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AREST CF
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Cystic fibrosis
How can I find out more about Cystic Fibrosis?
There are many websites available that will give you information, however, our aim is to provide you with the right information.
Use the links below to access the latest information about cystic fibrosis from Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis from the Clinical Team at Perth Children's Hospital
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.