New Blood Test Detects Infant Sepsis

Researchers have identified specific proteins in umbilical cord blood, offering a quicker and less invasive method to diagnose early-onset sepsis in newborns. This innovative test could drastically reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics, safeguarding vulnerable infants from potential complications and antibiotic resistance.

Cord Blood Biomarkers

Scientists at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, collaborating with colleagues from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, discovered unique proteins in the umbilical cord blood of premature babies. These proteins signal systemic inflammation, indicative of an immune response to infection. This research provides a way to objectively and non-invasively diagnose early-onset sepsis.

The study’s findings, published in JCI Insight, indicate that cord blood biomarkers offer results within 24 hours. This speed enables physicians to rule out sepsis and confidently cease antibiotics. The innovation has a patent pending.

“Cord blood is an excellent source of information on the state of the baby’s health at the time of delivery. Cord blood biomarker results can be available within 24 hours, allowing physicians to rule out early onset sepsis and discontinue antibiotics with more confidence,”

—Dr. Leena B. Mithal, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that sepsis affects approximately 1.7 million adults each year in the United States, with nearly 270,000 fatalities (CDC, 2023). This emphasizes the significance of rapid and precise diagnostic tools.

Next Steps

Dr. Mithal and the team are planning multicenter studies and clinical trials to validate their findings. The research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, among others.

Dr. Patrick Seed, President & Chief Research Officer at Manne Research Institute, co-authored the study.

This advancement has the potential to change how clinicians manage premature infants, potentially saving lives and mitigating the risks associated with unnecessary antibiotic use. Further research will be crucial in solidifying these promising initial results.