Test could help avoid deafness in newborns

MANCHESTER TEAM’S RESEARCH MAY HELP UP TO 90,000 BABIES EVERY YEAR

A MANCHESTER team is leading research into a test that could help avoid antibiotic-related deafness in newborn babies.

The new genetic test could identify the risk of permanent antibiotic-related hearing loss in newborn babies.

The test, which is being developed by scientists in Manchester, could help up to 90,000 babies each year.

Because of a genetic predisposition, some babies can develop irreversible hearing loss when exposed to gentamicin - an antibiotic used to treat several types of bacterial infections.

Researchers are working to develop a test which would be performed at the patient’s bedside, which could allow genetic results to be available within an hour. This would allow alternative antibiotics to be used, avoiding the potential for a life-changing adverse reaction.

Rachel Corry’s son was born prematurely at St Mary’s Hospital and spent seven months in neo-natal intensive care.

“When you’re in the position we were in, time is of the essence when it comes to making decisions that will save your child’s life,” she said.

“The staff at the hospital saved my son’s life so many times and we’re incredibly grateful. The decision to treat him with gentamicin had to be made quickly in order to do so.

“Fortunately, we know now he didn’t have the sensitivity to gentamicin that would cause hearing loss. But to have a test that could check for this sensitivity, to help find the right treatment for every baby so they could be treated quickly and easily without occurring detrimental, life-long side effects, would be an immense step in reassuring parents who are already coping with so much.”

The National Institute for Health Research has awarded £900,000 to a consortium to carry the research forward.

It will be led by Bill Newman, Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at the University of Manchester and Consultant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The team includes genedrive plc and partners from Liverpool and Manchester Neonatal Intensive Care Units.