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Test for Children Could Detect Life-Threatening Conditions
The trial aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and improve treatment by quickly identifying bacterial infections in children, potentially saving dozens of young lives annually.
- A three-site NHS trial is testing the MeMed BV test across Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, and Great North Children’s Hospital until March next year.
- Doctors say rapid diagnostics are needed because current NHS clinical laboratories take several hours for blood sample analysis, delaying treatment amid antibiotic resistance and severe infections.
- In practice, staff say the MeMed BV test provides results in around 15 minutes, enabling faster treatment for meningitis and sepsis, with Dr Ron Daniels warning, `'A recent national publication suggested that, among the deaths of approximately 500 children each year where infection was present, care was suboptimal in 40% of cases.'`
- Experts say the change could save lives and improve treatment, and if trials succeed, the test could expand across NHS hospitals, benefiting patients, parents and the NHS.
- However, integrating the test into NHS clinical systems and supporting clinicians making antimicrobial prescribing decisions remains challenging, though previous studies show better performance in adults, offering wider potential.
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14 Articles
Dorset EchoReposted by 
Bournemouth Echo
Bournemouth EchoNHS trials blood test to spot life threatening illnesses in children
NHS hospitals are trialling a 15-minute blood test for life-threatening conditions in children.
·Weymouth, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
L 30%
C 70%
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