Asthma is one of the most common long-term illnesses in adults and is the most common long-term illness in children. Illness related to childhood asthma leads to more than three million doctor visits and 164,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. Studies that follow children with asthma into their teenage years and adulthood show that at birth, lung function is normal in children who develop asthma, but by age six, it can decrease.

For this study we want to learn how cells lining the respiratory tract work and send signals to other cells. We want to compare this in children with asthma, children without asthma but with allergies, and children without asthma or allergies. We are looking for 50 children in each group who are scheduled to undergo surgery that requires anesthesia to take part. In our research laboratory we are completing experiments that compare the function of cells from the nose and windpipe between children in each of the three groups.

If your child were to participate in this study, while they are asleep from anesthesia for surgery a study doctor would quickly brush the inside of their nostrils and windpipe to gather some cells. Your child would also have a small amount of blood drawn (two teaspoons) while asleep to test for allergies to dogs, cats, dust mites, grass and mold. We would ask you questions about your child's medical history.

A follow-up study visit would be scheduled for when you come back to Children's for a clinic appointment with your child's doctor after surgery. During the study visit, your child would be asked to breathe into two different machines, and you would be given the results of the allergy testing. This would take about 30 minutes to complete.

You would not be charged for any of the tests. Your child would receive a $25 gift card at the follow-up visit for their time and participation.

If this is something you and your child are interested in participating in, you can click Next Page to answer some questions that will help determine if your child is eligible.