Stepping Hill Hospital staff are supporting a national child flu research project to help children who are vulnerable to complications from flu.
Children in certain groups, including those with asthma, diabetes or Down’s syndrome, are more vulnerable to becoming more poorly than others if they get flu, or another flu-like illness.
The ‘Archie’ study aims to find out the effectiveness of the early use of antibiotics for these children to help stop them developing bacterial infections, and possibly help them recover more quickly.
The study will examine whether giving ‘at risk’ children antibiotics within the first 5 days of developing flu will reduce the chances of them becoming more unwell or developing further infections. The ARCHIE study will also help us find out which children are most likely to benefit from antibiotics.
As the ‘flu season’ approaches, Stepping Hill Hospital’s research and paediatric teams are finding local volunteers to take part in the study.
Musarrat Adnan and her three year old daughter Rabia, who has Down’s syndrome, participated in the study last year. Rabia was one of the first patients in England to take part in the study during the last winter flu season.
Paediatric research nurse Sara Bennett said, “All vulnerable groups are encouraged to be vaccinated against flu every year, but they can sometimes still contract flu or a flu like illness which can be especially dangerous for them. We are therefore pleased to take part in this important study and very grateful for the involvement of the families.
“We hope the national study will help the many thousands of children like Rabia.”
If you are interested in helping the study yourself, and you believe your child may be eligible, then contact Sara at sara.bennet@stockport.nhs.uk
Pictured: Left-right: Dr Chris Cooper (Associate Director for Child and Family Services), Sara Bennett (Paediatric Research Nurse), Musarrat Adnan and her daughter Rabia.