A world-first genetic test to establish if a newborn baby is vulnerable to deafness if treated with a commonly used antibiotic, has been conditionally recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use within the NHS.

This follows research led by Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), The University of Manchester and Manchester-based firm genedrive Plc on the Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing (PALOH) study. Together with Manchester based genedrive plc, they developed the pioneering, rapid bedside genetic test which was piloted at MFT in 2022.

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 drug.

The new test means that babies found to have the genetic variant can be given an alternative antibiotic within the ‘golden hour’ which could save the hearing of 200 babies in England every year.

PALOH study lead, Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at MFT and Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at The University of Manchester, said: “We are delighted that NICE has conditionally recommended the use of the test, which will be used in routine clinical practice in maternity settings across the country.

“We piloted the device at MFT in 2020 for 11-months and during that period we tested 750 babies and detected the genetic variant in three babies. Since being rolled out within our services at Saint Mary’s Hospital in November 2022, we have prevented the hearing loss of one baby.

“Our experience of using this test has been very positive. It’s straight-forward, non-invasive and will have a huge impact on our patients’ lives. The test will make a real difference, helping to ensure babies are not going to lose their hearing for a preventable reason.”

The system was developed in close collaboration with Professor Newman, Associate Lead, Hearing Health Genomic Solutions at National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and his team at Manchester BRC.