Publications by authors named "Anika van Niekerk"
Article Synopsis
- Lack of comprehensive data on congenital disorders (CDs) in South Africa affects resource distribution and detection of risks from harmful pregnancy exposures.
- A study using the Western Cape Pregnancy Exposure Registry analyzed data from 2016 to 2022, finding a confirmed prevalence of major CDs at 7.2 per 1,000 births, which increased to 9.2 when including missed diagnoses.
- Factors such as older maternal age and diabetes raised CD prevalence, while HIV status and other conditions did not significantly impact rates; improving neonatal checks and records could enhance CD detection.
Background: Hospitalized neonates are vulnerable to infection and have high rates of antibiotic utilization.
Methods: Fourteen South African neonatal units (seven public, seven private sector) assembled multidisciplinary teams involving neonatologists, microbiologists, pharmacists, and nurses to implement prospective audit and feedback neonatal antimicrobial stewardship (NeoAMS) interventions. The teams attended seven online training sessions.
Background: Natural history studies have correlated serotype-specific anti-capsular polysaccharide (CPS) IgG in newborns with a reduced risk of group B streptococcal disease. A hexavalent CPS-cross-reactive material 197 glycoconjugate vaccine (GBS6) is being developed as a maternal vaccine to prevent invasive group B streptococcus in young infants.
Methods: In an ongoing phase 2, placebo-controlled trial involving pregnant women, we assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of various GBS6 formulations and analyzed maternally transferred anti-CPS antibodies.