Fast-track children’s blood test could detect sepsis in 15 minutes

In a breakthrough that could transform emergency care, NHS England is trialing a rapid blood test that detects life-threatening sepsis and meningitis in children in just 15 minutes. The technology, currently being evaluated in three emergency departments, is already showing promise in helping doctors make faster, life-saving decisions.

"This could be a game-changer for our youngest patients," said Dr. Sarah Jenkins, pediatric consultant at Manchester Royal Infirmary, one of the trial sites. "When a child comes in with a high fever and lethargy, every minute counts. This test gives us answers while we're still assessing the child, not days later."

The revolutionary test works by identifying specific biomarkers that distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. Currently, diagnosing sepsis – the body's extreme response to infection – can take up to 48 hours, during which time a child's condition can deteriorate rapidly. Meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, presents similar challenges.

"We've seen cases where parents describe how their child went from playful to critically ill in hours," explained Dr. Mark Thompson, lead researcher at Oxford University's pediatric emergency department. "If we can quickly identify it's bacterial and needs urgent antibiotics, or viral and requires supportive care, we're giving children their best chance."

The trial comes as sepsis remains a leading cause of preventable death in children worldwide. In the UK alone, it affects over 25,000 children annually and contributes to approximately 2,500 deaths. The new technology aims to significantly reduce this toll by enabling earlier targeted treatment.

Families involved in the trial have reported tangible benefits. "The waiting was the worst part," said Emma Davies, whose 4-year-old son was recently tested during the trial. "Knowing within minutes whether it was something serious meant we could focus on helping him rather than worrying about 'what if'."

Health officials are cautiously optimistic about the technology's potential. "While we're still gathering data, early results show remarkable accuracy," said NHS England's Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Susan Hopkins. "If successful, this could become a standard tool in pediatric emergency departments across the country within two years."

The test's development represents a significant leap forward in point-of-care diagnostics. Traditional blood cultures require laboratory processing and can yield false negatives if antibiotics have already been administered. The new technology works directly in emergency settings using just a few drops of blood.

"This isn't just about speed – it's about precision," emphasized pediatric nurse practitioner James Wilson. "By quickly identifying the infection type, we avoid unnecessary antibiotics for viral cases while ensuring bacterial infections get immediate attention. That's better for the child and helps combat antibiotic resistance."

As the trial expands to additional hospitals later this year, researchers are collecting data on how the test performs across diverse age groups and symptoms. The ultimate goal is to create a standardized protocol that could be adapted for use in adults as well.

For more details on this pioneering trial, visit The Telegraph's coverage.