# Mechanisms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in infants with micrognathia

> **NIH NIH K23** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2020 · $152,299

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
I am a pediatric pulmonologist with fellowship training in sleep medicine and a background in clinical and
translational research in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). My research is focused on the
pathophysiology, consequences, and treatment of OSAS in children with craniofacial conditions. The proposed
project seeks to determine the mechanisms of OSAS in infants with micrognathia, a group of children with
mandibular hypoplasia. OSAS is common in children and is associated with growth failure and a variety of
cognitive and cardiovascular sequelae. Infants with micrognathia are one of the highest-risk groups for OSAS,
but the mechanisms of OSAS in this population, the effect of OSAS on growth, and the variability in outcomes
after surgical intervention for OSAS are poorly understood. In Aim 1, we will assess the structural contributions
to OSAS in infants with micrognathia using upper airway MRI and the neuromotor contributions to OSAS by
evaluating dynamic pressure-flow relationships. Aim 2 will use a variety of growth assessments, including
resting energy expenditure assessment and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, to evaluate the causes of poor
growth. Aim 3 will determine the impact of surgical treatment for OSAS on the craniofacial structure,
neuromotor function, and growth in infants with micrognathia.
My long-term goal is to become an independent clinical/translation physician-scientist with unique expertise in
the evaluation and management of OSAS in children with craniofacial conditions. The proposed career
development award facilitates this career goal by allowing me to obtain further training and experience in
imaging data analysis and growth assessment. This is complemented with coursework in biostatistics and
clinical study design and management in the outstanding research environment of Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. I have assembled an exceptional multidisciplinary mentorship
team. My primary mentor, Dr. Carole Marcus, is an internationally-recognized clinical researcher in pediatric
OSAS with an outstanding record of mentorship. My co-mentor, Dr. Richard Schwab, is a pioneer in upper
airway imaging in OSAS. These mentors, along with a multidisciplinary Advisory Committee that includes
investigators in radiology, plastic surgery, nutrition, and biostatistics, will help guide my career development
and will provide content expertise to ensure success of the proposed research. The proposed project, along
with the structured mentoring, coursework, and training that comprise the my career development plan, will
provide me with the skill and experience necessary to ensure his success as an independent investigator with
a unique skill set in better understanding the evaluation and treatment of OSAS in children with micrognathia
and other craniofacial conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9926122
- **Project number:** 5K23HL135346-03
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher Michael Cielo
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $152,299
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2022-03-09

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9926122

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9926122, Mechanisms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in infants with micrognathia (5K23HL135346-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9926122. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*