Publications by authors named "Alison Leversha"
Background: Early childhood obesity is highly prevalent in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Little is known about caregiver perception of children's weight status among those living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation, particularly Māori and Pacific children.
Aims: To explore caregiver perception of weight status among children starting school in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation and examine potential associations between the child's body mass index (BMI) z-score and their caregiver's perception of their child's body size or health.
Aims: We reviewed the baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and compared those with and without rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients ≥15 years with IE treated at Auckland City Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018 and excluded device-related IE and complex congenital heart disease. RHD status was based on echocardiographic features or previous history of rheumatic fever with valvular disease.
Article Synopsis
- SUDI, or sudden unexpected death in infancy, has become less common due to the 'Back to Sleep' campaign, but still happens more often to families with less money and resources.
- Researchers looked at data from over a million births in New Zealand to see how many mothers had mental health problems or substance abuse issues and if these were linked to SUDI.
- They found that mothers who struggled with substance use were more likely to have babies who died from SUDI, and suggested that these moms need extra help to keep their babies safe when sleeping.
Article Synopsis
- Impetigo, a contagious bacterial skin infection, is most prevalent in children from low-income communities, prompting concerns about increasing resistance due to the common use of fusidic acid in New Zealand.
- A trial is being conducted to compare the effectiveness of fusidic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and simple wound care in treating impetigo, involving children from urban school health clinics in a 5-day regimen.
- The trial emphasizes the involvement of affected communities in its design to ensure that the most vulnerable children receive effective and safe treatments.
Aim: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of recurrences of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in New Zealand 2010-14.
Method: Retrospective hospital chart review for ARF with repeat hospital admissions from 2010-14, to identify recurrences of ARF. Definitions of recurrence as per NZ Heart Foundation Guidelines.
Aim: To examine the prevalence of refractive error and visual impairment and evaluate the efficacy of B4 School Check (B4SC) vision screening, in a cohort of predominantly New Zealand Māori and Pacific children from a community with socioeconomic disadvantage.
Method: A cross-sectional investigation of children in the Welcome-to-School study. Participants received a comprehensive eye examination at six to seven years of age.
Objective: Rheumatic fever (RF) recurrence prevention requires secondary prophylaxis for at least ten years. However, recurrences of rheumatic fever (RRF) persist disproportionately affecting Māori and Pacific youth. Reasons for recurrence rates are not well understood and commonly attributed to patient non-adherence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To determine the most accurate data source for acute rheumatic fever (ARF) epidemiology in the Auckland region.
Method: To assess coverage of the Auckland Regional Rheumatic Fever Register (ARRFR), (1998-2010) for children <15 years and resident in Auckland at the time of illness, register, hospitalisation and notification data were compared. A consistent definition was applied to determine definite and probable cases of ARF using clinical records.
Admissions for skin and soft-tissue infections have been increasing steadily in children and in the general population. Concerns have been raised recently about the increasing widespread use of topical fusidic acid and concurrent increase of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Fusidic acid resistance and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are both more prevalent in youngest age group (<5 year-olds) and particularly in the North island.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The anterior nares are regarded as the primary site for Staphylococcus aureus colonization, although studies have highlighted the potential importance of colonization at extra-nasal sites, including the oropharynx. Accordingly, the aims of this study were to assess the prevalence, persistence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus colonization in the nares and oropharynx of Māori and Pacific children, a population with strikingly high rates of S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNew Zealand has unenviably high rates of bacterial resistance to topical antimicrobials. In this Viewpoint, we review the history and usage of topical antimicrobials in New Zealand, and suggest some strategies to mitigate further increases in antimicrobial resistance to topical agents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To identify risk factors for children developing and being hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia.
Methods: Children <5 years old residing in urban Auckland, New Zealand were enrolled from 2002 to 2004. To assess the risk of developing pneumonia, children hospitalised with pneumonia (n= 289) plus children with pneumonia discharged from the Emergency Department (n= 139) were compared with a random community sample of children without pneumonia (n= 351).