A rapid test to identify risk of infections in newborns

Rapid Test to Assist Therapy in Neonatal Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis

NIH-funded research Prothera Biologics, LLC · NIH-11076833

This study is working on a fast test that checks for a specific protein in the blood to help doctors quickly find out if newborns are at risk for serious infections like sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis, so they can start treatment right away.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionProthera Biologics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11076833 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to create a quick point-of-care test that measures levels of Inter-alpha inhibitor Proteins (IAIP) in the blood to assess the risk of neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. These conditions can lead to severe health issues and high mortality rates, making early detection crucial. The test is designed to provide results within 15 minutes, allowing healthcare providers to make timely decisions about antibiotic treatment. The study builds on previous findings that showed IAIP levels are reliable indicators of these serious infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and infants at risk of developing neonatal sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 21 years or those not at risk for neonatal infections may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early detection and treatment of life-threatening infections in newborns, potentially reducing mortality and long-term health complications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar rapid testing approaches, indicating a strong potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions bacterial disease treatmentbacterial infectious disease treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.