Low-cost neonatal test may save many babies

In what could possibly reduce the number of infant deaths, doctors of a Delhi-based hospital have claimed to have developed a low-cost test to detect neonatal sepsis in just two hours. Presently tests take one to three days for diagnosis of the deadly disease causing delay in treatment. Neonatal sepsis refers to the presence of a bacterial blood infection in new born baby causing fever. Researches say that neonatal Sepsis comprises a major problem in India with septicemia and pneumonia accounting for 52% deaths in home-cared rural born infants.

The leading cause of these deaths is the delay in diagnosis of the disease. Researchers from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital used VCS (Volume, Conductivity and Scatter) data generated from automated hematology analysers, for the early and sensitive diagnosis of sepsis in newborns. The test will only cost Rs 200 and will not require any additional testing, extra sample, reagents, time or expenditure. “VCS parameters calculable from hospital information systems could improve timely recognition of serious infections and prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics on infants.

Fast diagnosis will lead to quick treatment saving crucial lives,” said Dr Manorama Bhargava, chairperson of the department of hematology, SGRH. According to a report, more than 300,000 infants die within 24 hours of being born in India each year from infections and other preventable causes. India accounts for 29% of all newborn deaths worldwide, according to NGO Save the Children. SGRH doctors conducted a study which led to the development of the low-cost marker of sepsis disease. The setting of the study was a busy referral neonatal intensive care unit at SGRH.

“After institutional clearance from the ethics committee, blood samples were drawn from 94 infants aged 0- 28 days admitted to the intensive care units in whom sepsis was suspected along with 36 healthy infants with no clinical or laboratory suspicion of the infection. Complete blood count and VCS parameters were obtained,” said Bhargava.

However, Bhargava said that the findings, which have been published in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, needs to be corroborated by conducting tests in larger samples.

Cradle Snatcher
300,000 infants die every year in India

29% Of all infant deaths worldwide occur in India Rs 200 Cost of the new test

52% Of deaths in home-cared rural born infants occur due to sepsis