Dr Ajit Mahaveer, a British Indian doctor based in Manchester, is part of the team whose research for a world-first genetic test that could save hundreds of babies from hearing loss, recently won the New Statesman Positive Impact in Healthcare Award.
The team, which is based at Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), worked with the University of Manchester and Manchester-based firm Genedrive Plc. on the Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing (PALOH) study. Together, they developed the pioneering, rapid bedside genetic test which was piloted at MFT earlier this year. Using a cheek swab, the test can identify in 26 minutes whether a critically ill baby admitted to intensive care has a gene change that could result in permanent hearing loss if they are treated with a common emergency antibiotic, Gentamicin.
While Gentamicin is used to safely treat approximately 100,000 babies a year, one in 500 babies carry the gene change that can lead to permanent hearing loss when given the antibiotic. The new test means that babies found to have the genetic variant can be given an alternative antibiotic within the ‘golden hour’ and could save the hearing of 200 babies in England every year.
This new swab test technique replaces a test that traditionally took several days and is the first use of a rapid point of care genetic test in acute neonatal care. It is also expected the test could save the NHS £5 million every year by reducing the need for other interventions, such as cochlear implants.
