Children's Hospitals Today - Fall 2022 - 31

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traced to genetic and congenital
factors, not environmental influences.
" Most of what was known in
medicine about pancreatic disease
was in the adult world, where the risk
factors-such as alcohol, smoking,
and gallstones-are completely
different, " Cress says.
" I hope that as our findings are
disseminated, stigmatization that a
child with pancreatitis must be smoking
or drinking will disappear, " Uc says.
INSPPIRE has also greatly improved
the understanding of how families
can be affected by the condition.
" When children are so sick, multiple
tests, procedures, and surgeries
may have to be done, " Uc says. " That
affects the entire family's life.
Sometimes patients get addicted to
pain medications, or have emotional
and mental health issues. "
The group has published more than
20 papers and five book chapters
on pediatric pancreatitis. Additionally,
INSPPIRE team members have
lectured at dozens of conferences
and symposiums.
These efforts have inspired likeminded
efforts among medical
organizations such as the National
Pancreas Foundation, and it has
prompted the North American Society
For Pediatric Gastroenterology,
Hepatology & Nutrition to form a
pancreas committee.
" I think the biggest impact is our
dissemination of knowledge about the
disease, " Cress says. " The awareness
helps physicians make decision to
transfer kids to where they can receive
the care that is required. "
An 'INSPPIRING' mission
Many challenges remain before
INSPPIRE reaches its end goal of
developing therapeutics for pediatric
pancreatitis, including funding.
In 2015, Uc obtained an NIH U01
grant. These grants are awarded only
to high-risk, high-impact, and large
multicenter studies. And due to the
ongoing success of INSPPIRE,
Uc's grant was renewed for another
five years in 2020.
chronic pancreatitis and evaluating
the value of diagnostic testing.
" Finding risk factors for chronic
pancreatitis and pancreas failure will
help us identify targets for therapy, "
Uc says.
" In order to have a meaningful study,
it has to be large, " Uc says. " Since it's not
a common disease, you need multiple
sites to make a meaningful cohort. "
With over a decade of NIH funding
and international collaboration, Uc
THE INSPPIRE RESEARCH PROJECT
25SITES
MORE THAN
100
TEAM
MEMBERS
Including approximately
45 pediatric
gastroenterologists,
radiologists, and
endocrinologists
1 in Australia
1 in Isreal
2 in Canada
21 in the U.S.A.
SPONSORED CONTENT
800
NEARLY
Study participants
20+ papers 5+ book chapters DOZENS of lectures at national and international conferences and symposiums
There are studies sprouting from
INSPPIRE that are assessing the
value of diagnostics and treatments.
One example is an NIH-funded study
of internet-based pain intervention
using cognitive behavioral therapy.
" We're just beginning to focus on
drug development and repurposing, "
Uc says.
Currently, the focus is on finding
risk factors for the development of
The families have been such wonderful partners.
They've been underserved and neglected for so long.
The relationships you build because you care and
want to make a diff erence are wonderful. It's a bond. "
ALIYE UC, MD
hopes that INSPPIRE will grow and
continue fulfilling its mission.
" You don't realize as you go
through this, but looking back at
where we were 10 years ago and
where we are now, the field really
took off, " Uc says. " People started
paying attention - 'Yes, there is
pancreatitis in children. And yes,
those families need attention.
They've been neglected for so long.'
To learn more about UI Stead Family
Children's Hospital, visit uichildrens.org

http://www.uichildrens.org

Children's Hospitals Today - Fall 2022

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