New test that prevents babies going deaf to be rolled out on NHS

The NHS is set to rollout a genetic test to prevent newborn babies going deaf, following new draft guidance from the National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE).

The new technology helps to identify whether the child has a rare genetic variant which may make them more prone to hearing loss.

Current tests do not produce results quickly enough

Gentamicin is routinely used in neonatal intensive care to treat bacterial infection, but some babies with a particular genetic variant are at higher risk of hearing loss when give this antibiotic.

While lab results are unable to produce results quickly enough to give treatment within an hour (in line with guidelines), a new test, the genedrive kit, is able to quickly diagnose whether the newborn has the m.1555A>G genetic variant.

The test identifies the variant by analysing a swab of DNA taken from the newborn’s cheek.

If the variant is found, the baby can be treated with alternative, equally effective, antibiotics. These antibiotics are not routinely given to the wider population due to the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Roughly 1,250 babies are born with this variant in England and Wales each year, and until now, it is only discovered that a child has gone deaf due to gentamicin with DNA testing afterwards.

The technology will improve quality of life and reduce NHS costs

Mark Chapman, interim director of Medical Technology at NICE, says hearing loss has a “substantial impact” on the quality of life of the baby and their family, and is extremely costly to the NHS, with cochlear implants costing around £65,000 in the first year alone.

“The costs associated with hearing loss to the NHS are high, so driving an innovation like genedrive into the hands of health and care professionals to enable best practice can also ensure that we balance the best care with value for money, delivering both for individuals and society as a whole,” Mr Chapman said.

Susan Daniels OBE, chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society and lay specialist committee member, says she hopes the new draft guidance will result in the technology being rolled out nationwide.

She said: “Speaking both as a deaf person and as chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, it’s very encouraging that more evidence will be gathered on this important development. I hope this additional evidence will support the argument for the roll out of technology, which could play a pivotal role in preventing deafness in a small number of babies in the future.”

A consultation is now underway and comments on the recommendations can be made until Tuesday 21 February 2023.