Ten-year-old Willow among children to benefit from pioneering same-day test to spot infections

A pioneering same-day test has been used to detect hidden and drug-resistant infections among children in intensive care.

Respiratory samples from more than 100 critically ill young patients at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) were sent for what is known as metagenomic testing. , external

It can identify bacteria, viruses and fungi from a single sample, which in many cases influences what doctors prescribe.

Metagenomics can detect infections that standard tests miss, meaning better outcomes for some critically ill patients.

In March, 10-year-old Willow Crowther became dangerously ill with pneumonia, which triggered a seizure and multiple cardiac arrests.

Willow, from Kent, was admitted to intensive care at GOSH. Her mum, Stacey Moore, was told she had a 50% chance of survival.

"The consultant said... we should bring our family up to say goodbye to her. This is how critical and in how much danger she was of passing away."

The team at GOSH used metagenomics - a diagnostic test that works by sequencing all genetic material present, in contrast to conventional methods where clinicians need to decide in advance what they're looking for.