World-first bedside genetic test to prevent babies going deaf

Narrative

1 in 500 babies carry a gene that causes permanent deafness when given gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in intensive care. Working with University of Manchester start-up company Genedrive Plc, we developed the world’s first, rapid bedside genetic test. The test takes just 25 minutes, compared to several days with conventional methods, allowing doctors to give an alternative antibiotic within the recommended 60 minutes to those babies carrying the gene.
Working with families, the team trialled the test in 751 babies in neonatal units in Manchester and Liverpool without delays to treatment.
In April 2022 the test was introduced into three Manchester hospitals, in March 2023 NICE recommended its use within the NHS, and in August 2023 the test was rolled out into routine clinical practice across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust where 350 nurses have been trained to use the genetic testing machine. It is now being used for babies across England and internationally.
Every year the test could save the hearing of 180 babies in England alone, and save the NHS ~£5 million, by reducing the need for other interventions such as cochlear implants.
The test is now routinely used in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Greater Manchester, where ~4000 tests have been performed to date (at November 2024), and 10 babies have avoided hearing loss, and we are working to roll this out nationwide as part of the NIHR i4i funded PALOH-UK study.

Impact date	2018 → 2024
Category of impact	Health and wellbeing, Economic, Technological, Policy
Impact level	Adoption