Allergi- og lungesygdomme
Allergi- og lungesygdomme hos børn omfatter både hyppige, sjældne og komplekse sygdomme. Disse sygdomme udvikles ofte i barnealderen, hvorfor forskningen har særlig fokus på graviditet samt de tidlige barneårs betydning for senere sygdoms opståen. Der er en betydelig udvikling inden for diagnostik og behandling, men der er fortsat udfordringer og behov for forskning inden for diagnostik, behandling, forebyggelse, livskvalitet mm.
Professor Susanne Halken / Overlæge Josefine Gradman / Overlæge Elisabeth Søgaard Christiansen
Den kliniske forsknings aktuelle hovedfokusområder
Udvikling og risikofaktorer for allergisk sygdom/astma. Aktuelt undersøger vi sammenhængen mellem astma, lungefunktion og tidlig udsættelse for PFAS i et ph.d.-projekt. Dette undersøger vi ligeledes sammenholdt med D-vitaminniveau i et prægraduatprojekt hos 12-årige fra Odense Børnekohorte. Desuden undersøges i et prægraduatprojekt sammen med en børnepsykiater sammenhængen mellem tidlige allergisymptomer og udviklingsforstyrrelser. I Odense Børnekohorte laves nu lungefunktionsundersøgelse (spirometri) af alle børn som kommer til 15 års undersøgelsen.
Fødevareallergi og allergi overfor lægemidler herunder en provokationsdatabase, som indeholder mange interessante prospektive data og har givet ophav til publikationer vedr. optimering af provokationsprotokoller. Samtidig har vi et igangværende projekt vedrørende den prædiktive værdi af paraklinik og tærskel ift. udvikling af tolerans ved fødevareallergi. Der planlægges projekter vedrørende FPIES (food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome), peanutallergi, livskvalitet ved fødevareallergi og Food Allergy-Related Bullying.
Allergen immunterapi, bl.a. med en allergen immunterapi database og pågående indsamling af data vedrørende den langsigtede effekt af immunterapi.
Akut behandling af luftvejssyge børn. Vi gennemfører i vinteren 2025/26 et randomiseret studie ”Luft og lejring” der skal vise om små infektionssyge børn, der har behov for CPAP eller highflow, har gavn af at blive lejret på maven.
Respiratoriske problemer hos børn med svære medfødte mavetarmmisdannelser, bl.a. hos børn med medfødt øsofagusatresi i TRALULALA-projektet som undersøger tracheomalaci hos børn født med øsofagusatresi. Projektet er ledet af Dansk børnelungecenter RH og børnelungelæge fra H.C. Andersen Børne- og Ungeafdeling, OUH. Sammenhængen mellem gastroeøsofageal reflux og allergi undersøges sammen med neonatologer og gastroenterologer.
Nationalt og internationalt samarbejde
Vi samarbejder med Afdeling L og Radiologisk afdeling om Lunge-Ultralyd og er i gang med at starte projektet Advancing Imaging In Respiration – children (AIR-child).
Desuden deltager vi i lokale/landsdækkende undersøgelser ledet af andre afdelinger/hospitaler/firmaer, bl.a. svær astma (COPSAC, Gentofte/Herlev Universitetshospital) og medfødte lungemisdannelser (Børneafdelingen, Skejby Universitets Hospital). Derudover deltager vi i den Europæiske ERNICA Quality of life-gruppe. Professor Susanne Halken er med i flere internationale arbejdsgrupper og har været med til at udarbejde internationale guidelines om fødevareallergi, allergen immunterapi og anafylaksi.
Vi stiler mod flere tværfaglige regionale, nationale og internationale studier samt at fokusere på livskvalitet, telemedicin og mere brugerinddragelse.
Allergy and Respiratory Diseases
Current Clinical Research Focus
Development of and risk factors for allergic diseases and asthma
We investigate the development of allergic diseases and asthma, as well as factors that may increase the risk of these conditions. An ongoing PhD project investigates the association between asthma, lung function, and early-life exposure to PFAS. In an undergraduate research project, we are also investigating these associations in relation to vitamin D levels among 12-year-old participants in the Odense Child Cohort. In collaboration with a child and adolescent psychiatrist, another undergraduate research project examines the association between early allergic symptoms and neurodevelopmental disorders. As part of the Odense Child Cohort, all children attending the 15-year follow-up assessment now undergo lung function testing (spirometry).
Food allergy and drug allergy
Our research on food and drug allergy includes a challenge-test database containing extensive and valuable prospective clinical data. The database has formed the basis for several publications on the optimisation of food and drug challenge protocols. An ongoing project is investigating the predictive value of diagnostic test results and reaction thresholds for the development of tolerance in children with food allergy. Further projects are planned on food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), peanut allergy, quality of life in children with food allergy, and food allergy-related bullying.
Allergen immunotherapy
Our research on allergen immunotherapy includes an allergen immunotherapy database and ongoing collection of long-term follow-up data to evaluate the lasting effects of treatment.
Acute treatment of children with respiratory illness
We also study the acute treatment of children with respiratory illnesses. During the winter of 2025/26, we conducted the randomised Air and Positioning study, investigating whether infants and young children with acute respiratory infections requiring CPAP or high-flow oxygen therapy benefit from being placed in the prone position.
Respiratory problems in children with severe congenital gastrointestinal malformations
Another area of research focuses on respiratory problems in children with severe congenital gastrointestinal malformations. The TRALULALA project investigates tracheomalacia in children born with oesophageal atresia and is led by the Danish Paediatric Pulmonary Centre at Rigshospitalet in collaboration with a paediatric pulmonologist from the Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital at Odense University Hospital. Together with neonatologists and paediatric gastroenterologists, we are also investigating the association between gastro-oesophageal reflux and allergic diseases.
National and International Collaboration
We collaborate with the Department of Clinical Research and the Department of Radiology on research into lung ultrasound and are currently launching the Advancing Imaging in Respiration – Children (AIR-Child) project.
We also participate in regional, national, and international research projects led by other departments, hospitals, and research groups. These include studies on severe asthma in collaboration with COPSAC at Copenhagen University Hospital – Gentofte and Herlev, and studies of congenital lung malformations with Aarhus University Hospital. In addition, we contribute to the European ERNICA Quality of Life Working Group.
Professor Susanne Halken is a member of several international expert groups and has contributed to the development of international clinical guidelines on food allergy, allergen immunotherapy, and anaphylaxis.
Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen interdisciplinary regional, national, and international collaborations, with a particular focus on quality of life, telemedicine, and greater involvement of patients and families in research.