{"id":15,"date":"2026-08-23T18:43:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T18:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.rhino-health.org\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-08-27T13:13:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T13:13:40","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates (RHiNO)<\/div>\n

Understanding lung health after preterm birth<\/h1>\n

\n RHiNO is a research programme investigating why some children born preterm develop breathing problems,
\n how their lungs change as they grow, and how prematurity-associated lung disease can be recognised,
\n treated and followed through later life.\n <\/p>\n

\n Explore our discoveries<\/a>
\n The RHiNO study<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n \"Illustration\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
767<\/strong>children studied<\/span><\/div>\n
565<\/strong>born preterm<\/span><\/div>\n
202<\/strong>term-born comparison participants<\/span><\/div>\n
65<\/strong>advanced lung MRI assessments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
Recruitment has finished. Discovery continues.<\/div>\n

The original RHiNO study has become a long-term respiratory research programme<\/h2>\n

\n The original RHiNO study recruited and assessed children between 2016 and 2019. From 1,122 returned
\n questionnaires, 767 children underwent RHiNO assessments: 565 born preterm and 202 term-born controls,
\n aged 7\u201312 years. A subgroup underwent advanced lung MRI, and children with reduced lung function
\n participated in detailed physiological studies and a randomised inhaler trial.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
What has RHiNO discovered?<\/div>\n

Preterm birth can affect the lungs long after infancy<\/h2>\n

\n RHiNO and the research that preceded it have shown that respiratory consequences of preterm birth can
\n persist through childhood and potentially across the life course. The programme has progressed from
\n describing respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function to understanding distinct physiological
\n patterns, mechanisms and treatment responses.\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
Looking beyond BPD<\/div>\n

Prematurity-associated lung disease<\/h3>\n

\n A neonatal diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is important, but it does not fully describe
\n respiratory disease later in life. RHiNO research helped develop the concept of
\n prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD)<\/strong> as a broader framework for respiratory
\n impairment after preterm birth.\n <\/p>\n

Explore PLD \u2192<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n

\n
Different forms of PLD<\/div>\n

Distinct physiological phenotypes<\/h3>\n

\n RHiNO has helped characterise POLD<\/strong>, pPRISm<\/strong> and
\n pDysanapsis<\/strong>. These patterns can be identified using routine spirometry and provide
\n a basis for studying differences in mechanisms, prognosis and treatment.\n <\/p>\n

Explore PLD & phenotypes \u2192<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n

\n
Treatable disease<\/div>\n

Some lung-function impairment can improve<\/h3>\n

\n The RHiNO randomised clinical trial showed that combined inhaled corticosteroid\/long-acting
\n \u03b22<\/sub>-agonist treatment produced a clinically important improvement in lung function in
\n selected preterm-born children with reduced lung function.\n <\/p>\n

Read about RHiNO discoveries \u2192<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n \"Illustrated
\n PLD phenotypes.<\/strong> RHiNO work has helped define physiologically distinct phenotypes,
\n including PTc, POLD, pPRISm and pDysanapsis.
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
From phenotype to lifelong lung health<\/div>\n

RHiNO is increasingly asking how respiratory disease evolves<\/h2>\n

\n The programme is no longer asking only whether lung function is abnormal. It is asking which physiological
\n phenotype an individual has, why it developed, whether it changes with growth, and whether its trajectory
\n can be modified.\n <\/p>\n

\n
Preterm birth<\/strong>Interrupted lung development<\/span><\/div>\n
\u2192<\/div>\n
Growing lungs<\/strong>Early-life and environmental influences<\/span><\/div>\n
\u2192<\/div>\n
PLD phenotype<\/strong>Measurable physiological pattern<\/span><\/div>\n
\u2192<\/div>\n
Trajectory<\/strong>Persistence, recovery or transition<\/span><\/div>\n
\u2192<\/div>\n
Adult lung health<\/strong>Long-term respiratory risk<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
RHiNO discoveries<\/div>\n

One cohort, multiple layers of respiratory biology<\/h2>\n
\n \"Collage
\n Beyond spirometry alone.<\/strong> RHiNO integrates physiology, treatment, imaging, environment,
\n and mechanistic biology to understand lung health after preterm birth.
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n

PLD & phenotypes<\/h3>\n

Different patterns of abnormal lung function exist after preterm birth.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n

Treatment<\/h3>\n

Some airflow limitation is reversible and can respond to inhaled therapy.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n

Structure & mechanisms<\/h3>\n

MRI, respiratory mechanics and molecular studies reveal abnormalities beyond standard spirometry.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n

Environment & trajectories<\/h3>\n

Postnatal exposures and subsequent lung growth may influence lifelong respiratory outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/article><\/div>\n

\n Explore all RHiNO discoveries<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
Featured science<\/div>\n

Prematurity-associated lung disease across the life course<\/h2>\n

\n In January 2026, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine<\/em> published a three-paper Series addressing
\n PLD and its phenotypes, lifelong lung-function trajectories, and management from infancy through adulthood.\n <\/p>\n

\n
PLD and its phenotypes<\/strong>Defining the physiological framework<\/span><\/div>\n
Lifelong trajectories<\/strong>Understanding respiratory health over time<\/span><\/div>\n
Management<\/strong>From infancy through adulthood<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Explore the PLD Series<\/a>
\n Browse all RHiNO publications<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
The RHiNO story<\/div>\n

From population study to life-course respiratory science<\/h2>\n
\n
2012<\/span>Population studies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Large studies establish persistent respiratory effects of preterm birth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2016<\/span>RHiNO begins<\/strong><\/p>\n

Detailed childhood respiratory assessment starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2019<\/span>Recruitment complete<\/strong><\/p>\n

Original study visits finish and analysis accelerates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2022<\/span>Treatment trial<\/strong><\/p>\n

RHiNO inhaler trial is published.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2023\u201325<\/span>Deep phenotyping<\/strong><\/p>\n

PLD phenotypes, MRI, pollution, metabolomics and mechanistic work expand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2026<\/span>PLD Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phenotypes, trajectories and management are synthesised across the life course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Now<\/span>Longitudinal discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n

RHiNO studies how phenotypes and lung function evolve towards adulthood.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n Explore the full RHiNO timeline<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Illustration\n <\/div>\n
\n
Children and families<\/div>\n

RHiNO was made possible by children and families<\/h2>\n

\n Every RHiNO discovery has depended on children and families giving their time for questionnaires,
\n breathing tests, hospital assessments, exercise studies, treatment research and specialist imaging.\n <\/p>\n

To all our participants and families: thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n Recruitment to the original RHiNO study is complete, but the information and samples contributed by
\n participants continue to generate new knowledge.\n <\/p>\n

Participants & families<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
Our preterm lung research programme<\/div>\n

Following respiratory health from birth to later life<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Birth \u2022 neonatal care<\/div>\n

AZTEC<\/h3>\n

Azithromycin Therapy for Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit AZTEC \u2197<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n

\u2192<\/div>\n
\n
Discharge \u2022 infancy<\/div>\n

BALLOON Trial<\/h3>\n

Preventing respiratory infections after discharge<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit BALLOON \u2197<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n

\u2192<\/div>\n
\n
Childhood \u2022 adolescence \u2022 beyond<\/div>\n

RHiNO<\/h3>\n

Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Explore RHiNO \u2192<\/a>
\n <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates (RHiNO) Understanding lung health after preterm birth RHiNO is a research programme investigating why some children born preterm develop breathing problems, how their lungs change as they grow, and how prematurity-associated lung disease can be recognised, treated and followed through later life. Explore our discoveries The RHiNO study 767children studied […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38,"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions\/38"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhino-health.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}