Daira Trusinska is a PhD student based at The University of Edinburgh. Her research is exploring respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children and its relationship to asthma in older children.
Project Information
Research Driver Programme: Inflammation and Immunity programme
Title: Characterising RSV infection in electronic health records & investigating the association between RSV infection and asthma in children 
Summary:
Daira is using electronic health records to:
- Describe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children
- Explore the relationship between RSV infection in early childhood and the development of asthma or recurrent wheezing in later childhood.
RSV is a prevalent cause of acute respiratory infections in children aged five and under. Although for most children RSV infection is mild and self-limiting, the global impact remains substantial, with an estimated 3.6 million hospital admissions and 26,300 in-hospital deaths in this age group in 2019 alone. Furthermore, numerous studies have found a link between RSV infection in early childhood and the development of asthma or recurrent wheezing in later childhood.
Investigating the association between RSV infection in childhood and the development of asthma is of interest in relation to the use of RSV preventive interventions, which could potentially contribute to a reduction in asthma morbidity in children.
By identifying potential risk factors for serious RSV, this study’s findings have the potential to help inform which groups of children would benefit most from preventative interventions and early treatment.
What is your motivation for undertaking this project and how will this funding impact your research?
I am interested in conducting research that identifies the underlying disparities in access and provision of health care, so that tailored interventions can be developed, and health outcomes improved for underserved communities.
