Sydney, Oct 8, 2008 (ABN Newswire) - Uscom Limited (ASX:UCM)(PINK:UCMDF) today announced the release of a new study confirming that USCOM 1A improves management of septic shock in children. The research, from London's prestigious Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, was published in Pediatrics, the official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The study of children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with suspected septic shock found that measuring the circulation with USCOM allowed earlier detection of abnormalities and more appropriate use of drugs for treatment, and suggested that use of USCOM may improve current practice guidelines.

Mr Rob Phillips, Executive Chairman and Director of Clinical Science said "This study is incredibly important as it defines a critical role for USCOM in improving the management and survival of children with sepsis. These results suggest that USCOM should become part of the standard of care in the management of sepsis in children. A defined life saving role in management of children has always been a goal for us in development of the USCOM device and this study confirms our progress toward this goal."

Mr Paul Butler, the Uscom CEO said "Pediatrics is a major market for USCOM and this study provides the evidence clinicians need to change practice and adopt the USCOM device. These studies are also the core requirement to substantiate and drive the global re-imbursement process."

Severe sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults worldwide, with a10% mortality in children even with the best of care. Severe sepsis in children is responsible for over 7% of all children's deaths in the USA and health spending in excess of $1.79Bn per annum.

The Company has secured regulatory approval for sale of the Uscom Monitor in Australia, Europe and a number of Asian markets, including Japan, China and Taiwan. Uscom also has a CE Mark certification for Europe and a license from the State Food & Drug Administration for China. The Company received the necessary regulatory clearance for the United States market in February 2005 with the receipt of a 510K Pre Market Notification from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

References. Brierley J, Peters MJ. Distinct Hemodynamic Patterns of Septic Shock at Presentation to Pediatric Intensive Care. Pediatrics 2008:122;752-759.
Watson RS, Carcillo JA, Linde-Zwirble WT, et al: The epidemiology of severe sepsis in children in the United States. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 167:695-701.
Goldstein B, Giroir B, Randolph A, and the members of the International Consencus Conference of Pediatric Sepsis. International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference: Definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in pediatrics. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005:6(1); (DOI: 10.1097/01.PCC.0000149131.72248.E6).