Co-Head, Children's Lung Health; Senior Research Fellow
BMedSci (hons), PhD
Associate Professor Shannon Simpson was awarded her PhD in 2010 by the University of Tasmania. Shannon’s PhD, which looked at the developing respiratory system in a pre-clinical model of preterm birth, received several awards including the prestigious American Physiological Society Scholander Prize for meritorious work by a young investigator. The move to Telethon Kids Institute expanded Shannon’s skills in clinical respiratory physiology while undertaking research in infants and children with cystic fibrosis, asthma and those surviving very preterm birth. Award of an Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship (2014-17) enabled Shannon to pursue her passion of improving the health outcomes for babies born preterm. She has developed a strong international reputation as a leader in this area and now leads a multi-faceted research programme spanning from clinical cohort studies and interventional clinical trials to laboratory-based exploratory science. Shannon’s research excellence is supported by strong community engagement/involvement, support of clinical colleagues and wide reaching collaborative networks.
Shannon’s research programme has three broad aims:
- To understand if preterm associated lung disease is progressive throughout the life course and to predict which babies are at risk of poorer outcomes.
- To elucidate the biological mechanisms underpinning preterm-associated lung disease using innovative laboratory-based approaches.
- To conduct interventions that will arrest or reverse preterm associated lung disease.
Ultimately, Shannon is working towards transformative change for survivors of preterm birth.
-
Projects
Understanding if ongoing inflammation in the lungs contributes to the poor lung health experienced by some children who were born preterm.
-
Publications
September 2023
Preterm lung disease: not just for neonatologists
Improvements in neonatal critical care have resulted in more people than ever reaching adulthood after being born prematurely. At the same time, it is becoming clearer that preterm birth can increase the risk of respiratory disease throughout a person’s lifetime. Awareness that a patient was born preterm can enable early specialist assessment and intervention when there is any concern about lung health.
Published research Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birth Lung functionOctober 2023Preterm birth and exercise capacity: what do we currently know?
The long-term cardiopulmonary outcomes following preterm birth during the surfactant era remain unclear. Respiratory symptoms, particularly exertional symptoms, are common in preterm children. Therefore, cardiopulmonary exercise testing may provide insights into the pathophysiology driving exertional respiratory symptoms in those born preterm. This review aims to outline the current knowledge of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the assessment of children born preterm in the surfactant era.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birth Physical activityAugust 2023Oscillometry and spirometry are not interchangeable when assessing the bronchodilator response in children and young adults born preterm
The European Respiratory Society Oscillometry Taskforce identified that clinical correlates of bronchodilator responses are needed to advance oscillometry in clinical practice. The understanding of bronchodilator-induced oscillometry changes in preterm lung disease is poor. Here we describe a comparison of bronchodilator assessments performed using oscillometry and spirometry in a population born very preterm and explore the relationship between bronchodilator-induced changes in respiratory function and clinical outcomes.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthAugust 2023Elevated leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate from preterm-born infants
Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), possibly contributing to persistent respiratory morbidity after preterm birth. We aimed to assess if inflammatory markers were elevated in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of infants born very prematurely (< 32 weeks gestation) at 12-16 corrected months of age, and if increased levels were associated with BPD diagnosis and respiratory morbidity.
Published research Children's Lung Health Chronobiology Subsite: WalyanJuly 2023The cost of respiratory hospitalizations in children with cerebral palsy
To establish the burden of respiratory illness in cerebral palsy (CP) on the Western Australian health care system by quantifying the costs of respiratory hospitalizations in children with CP, compared with non-respiratory hospitalizations.
Cerebral Palsy Published research Early Childhood Development Child Disability Children's Lung Health Child disability Kids Rehab Research WAAugust 2023Inhaled corticosteroids to improve lung function in children (aged 6–12 years) who were born very preterm (PICSI): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Despite the substantial burden of lung disease throughout childhood in children who were born very preterm, there are no evidence-based interventions to improve lung health beyond the neonatal period. We tested the hypothesis that inhaled corticosteroid improves lung function in this population.
Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan COVID-19 Pre-term birth Immune systemJuly 2023Health service utilisation for acute respiratory infections in infants graduating from the neonatal intensive care unit: a population-based cohort study
Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, babies admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) suffer from adverse outcomes. We aim to describe the longer-term respiratory infectious morbidity of infants discharged from NICU using state-wide population-based linked data in Western Australia.
Academic Biostatistics Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Children's Lung Health Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Subsite: WalyanJun 2023Increasing airway obstruction through life following bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a meta-analysis
Few studies exist investigating lung function trajectories of those born preterm; however growing evidence suggests some individuals experience increasing airway obstruction throughout life. Here we use the studies identified in a recent systematic review to provide the first meta-analysis investigating the impact of preterm birth on airway obstruction measured by the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio.
Published research Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthMay 2023Risk factors for poorer respiratory outcomes in adolescents and young adults born preterm
The respiratory outcomes for adult survivors of preterm birth in the postsurfactant era are wide-ranging with prognostic factors, especially those encountered after the neonatal period, poorly understood.
Published research Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthApril 2023Normal values of respiratory oscillometry in South African children and adolescents
Noninvasive measurement of respiratory impedance by oscillometry can be used in young children aged from 3 years and those unable to perform forced respiratory manoeuvres. It can discriminate between healthy children and those with respiratory disease. However, its clinical application is limited by the lack of reference data for African paediatric populations. The aim of the present study was to develop reference equations for oscillometry outcomes in South African children and adolescents.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Respiratory viral infectionsFebruary 2023Ventilatory response and stability of oxygen saturation during a hypoxic challenge in very preterm infants
Preterm infants have immature control of breathing and impaired pulmonary gas exchange. We hypothesized that infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have a blunted ventilatory response and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) instability during a hypoxic challenge.
Published research Children's Lung Health Chronobiology Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthOctober 2022The ventilatory response to hypoxia is blunted in some preterm infants during the second year of life
Preterm birth and subsequent neonatal ventilatory treatment disrupts development of the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). An attenuated HVR has been identified in preterm neonates, however it is unknown whether the attenuation persists into the second year of life.
Published research Children's Lung Health Neonatal Health Pre-term birthNovember 2022Living with lung disease: experimental models to assess the long-term effects of prematurity
Laboratory models provide an important tool in helping to understand the cellular and molecular drivers of respiratory disease. Many animal models exist that model the neonatal outcomes of preterm birth.
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Children's Lung Health Chronobiology Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthJune 2022Geographical Differences and Temporal Improvements in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second of Preterm-Born Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Although preterm birth is associated with later deficits in lung function, there is a paucity of information on geographical differences and whether improvements occur over time, especially after surfactant was introduced.
Published research Children's Lung Health Pre-term birthJune 2021Nasal airway epithelial repair after very preterm birth
Nasal epithelial cells from very preterm infants have a functional defect in their ability to repair beyond the first year of life, and failed repair may be associated with antenatal steroid exposure.
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Children's Lung Health Pre-term birthFebruary 2022Clinical significance and applications of oscillometry
Recently, "Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry" was published, which reviewed the physiological basis of oscillometric measures and detailed the technical factors related to equipment and test performance, quality assurance and reporting of results. Here we present a review of the clinical significance and applications of oscillometry.
Asthma Published research Children's Lung HealthJuly 2022Collecting exhaled breath condensate from non-ventilated preterm-born infants: a modified method
Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collection is a non-invasive, safe method for measurement of biomarkers in patients with lung disease. Other methods of obtaining samples from the lungs, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, are invasive and require anaesthesia/sedation in neonates and infants. EBC is particularly appealing for assessing biomarkers in preterm-born infants, a population at risk of ongoing lung disease.
Published research Children's Lung Health Pre-term birthApril 2021The PELICAN (Prematurity's Effect on the Lungs In Children and Adults Network) ERS Clinical Research Collaboration: understanding the impact of preterm birth on lung health throughout life
An estimated 15 million babies (∼11%) are born preterm each year (before 37 weeks of gestation), the rates of which are increasing worldwide. Enhanced perinatal care, including antenatal corticosteroids, postnatal surfactant and improved respiratory management, have markedly improved survival outcomes since the 1990s, particularly for babies born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation). However, long-term pulmonary sequelae are frequent in preterm survivors and ongoing clinical management is often required.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung HealthFebruary 2021Pulmonary Gas Exchange Improves over the First Year in Preterm Infants with and without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Right shift of the peripheral oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) versus inspired oxygen pressure (PIO2) curve is a sensitive marker of pulmonary gas exchange. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on gas exchange and right-to-left shunt in the neonatal period, and its evolution over the first year of life.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health ChronobiologyFebruary 2021Lung abnormalities do not influence aerobic capacity in school children born preterm
Children born preterm have impaired lung function and altered lung structure. However, there are conflicting reports on how preterm birth impacts aerobic exercise capacity in childhood. We aimed to investigate how neonatal history and a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) impact the relationship between function and structure of the lung, and aerobic capacity in school-aged children born very preterm.
Published research Early Childhood Development Children's Lung Health Children’s Respiratory ScienceFebruary 2020Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry
The aim of the task force was to provide technical recommendations regarding oscillometry measurement
Published research Children's Lung HealthNovember 2019Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Rationale for a pathophysiological rather than treatment based approach to diagnosis
This review describes the evolution of bronchopulmonary dysplasia definitions, evaluates the benefits and limitations of each approach
Published research Children's Lung HealthOctober 2019Upper Airway Pathology Contributes to Respiratory Symptoms in Children Born Very Preterm
The upper airway may play a role in the respiratory symptoms experienced by some very preterm children and should be considered by clinicians
Published research Children's Lung HealthAugust 2019Preterm birth: Born too soon for the developing airway epithelium
This review examines the consequences of preterm birth on the airway epithelium and explores the clinical relevance of currently available models
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Children's Lung HealthJune 2019Identifying pediatric lung disease: A comparison of forced oscillation technique outcomes
These findings suggest the utility of specific FOT outcomes is dependent on the respiratory disease being assessed
Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Published research Children's Lung HealthOctober 2018Increased prevalence of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Expiratory flow limitation is more prevalent in children born preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and is associated with airway obstruction
Published research Children's Lung HealthSeptember 2018Persistent and progressive long-term lung disease in survivors of preterm birth
This review aims to summarise what is known about the long-term pulmonary outcomes of contemporary preterm birth
Published research Children's Lung HealthAugust 2018The impact of respiratory viruses on lung health after preterm birth
The aim of this review is to highlight the risk factors that may contribute to increased susceptibility to viral respiratory infections among preterm infants
Published research Children's Lung HealthMay 2018Lung function trajectories throughout childhood in survivors of very preterm birth: a longitudinal cohort study
Lung function trajectories are impaired in survivors of very preterm birth
Published research Children's Lung HealthApril 2018How ‘healthy’ do children really need to be? Going beyond the limits
The authors assessed the impact of including preschool‐aged children with a history of preterm birth, early life wheeze, asthma diagnoses and/or recent respiratory symptoms in healthy reference ranges for respiratory impedance using the forced oscillation technique (FOT).
Published research Children's Lung HealthNovember 2017Effect of posture on lung ventilation distribution and associations with structure in children with cystic fibrosis
Background: We assessed the effect of posture on ventilation distribution and the impact on associations with structural lung disease.
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Children's Lung Health P4 Respiratory Health for KidsAugust 2017Altered lung structure and function in mid-childhood survivors of very preterm birth
To obtain comprehensive data on lung structure and function in mid-childhood from survivors of preterm birth.
Published research Children's Lung Health -
Awards/Honours
-
Education & Qualifications
-
Active Collaborations
-
External Committees