We’re Replacing Needles with Nasal Sprays – and we need your help

We’ve created a new test to measure the stress chemicals in your body. 

Some children, including a number on steroid medications, are unable to produce a safe amount of the stress hormone, cortisol. This is called adrenal insufficiency (AI) which means they are less able to stay healthy in stressful situations such as when ill or having an operation. 

We want to understand the body’s ability to respond to stress and what the cut off for an abnormal response is.

The current test used to diagnose AI requires children to visit the hospital for an injection and blood tests. We’ve developed a new test which is given as a nasal spray rather than into a vein. We then assess how the adrenal glands respond by measuring cortisol in samples of saliva rather than blood, which means no need for blood tests or needles. 

We now need to test 200 healthy children aged 0-17, to discover the normal response range. This will help us to set age and sex appropriate diagnostic cut-offs for what is an abnormal result. 

We need children who are: 

• Aged 0-17 years.

• Can attend one hospital visit with a parent/guardian (if under 16).

• Not taking any inhalers.

• Not taking steroids or anti-seizure medication.

What does taking part involve? 

Participants will collect three saliva samples across the day at home. The following day they will collect another saliva sample at home before coming to Sheffield Children’s Hospital for a Nasacthin Test – a saliva sample followed by a spray of our new medicine (Nasacthin) up each nostril, then a further saliva sample an hour later. The new medicine will be given in a similar way to the nasal flu vaccine. 

The visit will last less than two hours and will be done in the morning (around 8am until10am).

We are compensating participants/parents/carers with £25​ for the study visit to cover their expenses (transport, parking, lost income)​ ​and to recognise their time ​and commitment​.​ ​​     ​​

If you are interested in finding out more about this study, please contact​ ​​the study team on scn-tr.nesst.2@nhs.net or 07584 590503.​​​​ ​​     ​​     ​

For more information, please see NeSST2 Study section on our website: Currently recruiting – Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust