Neonatal intracranial pathologies on ultrasound imaging in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Annually, 30 million children are affected by newborn conditions, most in low-income countries, with long-term implications for survivors. We aimed to evaluate neonatal intracranial pathologies identifiable on cranial ultrasound (CUS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the spectrum of neonatal intracranial pathology, in nine databases, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review Tools.

Kangaroo mother care prior to clinical stabilisation: Implementation barriers and facilitators reported by caregivers and healthcare providers in Uganda.

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based method to improve newborn survival. However, scale-up even for stable newborns has been slow, with reported barriers to implementation. We examined facilitators and barriers to initiating KMC before stabilisation amongst neonates recruited to the OMWaNA study in Uganda.

'There was nothing, just absolute darkness': Understanding the needs of those caring for children and young people with complex neurodisability in a diverse UK context: A qualitative exploration in the ENCOMPASS study.

Background: Children and young people (CYP) with complex neurodisability experience multiple physical, communication, educational and social challenges, which require complex packages of multidisciplinary care. Part of the holistic care required includes supporting the families and parents/caregivers. The aim of the wider study was to introduce a new programme ('Ubuntu') to parents/caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in order to test the feasibility and acceptability of the concept and content, with the goal of potential adaptation for the UK in mind.

Effectiveness of kangaroo mother care before clinical stabilisation versus standard care among neonates at five hospitals in Uganda (OMWaNA): a parallel-group, individually randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years worldwide. WHO recommends kangaroo mother care (KMC); however, its effects on mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and its relative costs remain unclear. We aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety, costs, and cost-effectiveness of KMC initiated before clinical stabilisation versus standard care in neonates weighing up to 2000 g.

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement usage among children with disabilities: A systematic review.

Anthropometric measurements, including mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), are used for monitoring and evaluating children's nutritional status. Evidence is limited on optimal nutritional assessment for children with disabilities, who are at high risk for malnutrition. This study describes MUAC use among children with disabilities.

Process and costs for readiness to safely implement immediate kangaroo mother care: a mixed methods evaluation from the OMWaNA trial at five hospitals in Uganda.

Background: Preterm birth complications result in > 1 million child deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. A World Health Organisation (WHO)-led trial in hospitals with intensive care reported reduced mortality within 28 days among newborns weighing 1000-1799 g who received immediate kangaroo mother care (iKMC) compared to those who received standard care. Evidence is needed regarding the process and costs of implementing iKMC, particularly in non-intensive care settings.

The economic burden incurred by families caring for a young child with developmental disability in Uganda.

Each year, nearly 30 million children globally are at risk of developmental difficulties and disability as a result of newborn health conditions, with the majority living in resource-constrained countries. This study estimates the annual cost to families related to caring for a young child with developmental disability in Uganda. Nested within a feasibility trial of early care and support for young children with developmental disabilities, this sub-study estimated the cost of illness, the cost of paternal abandonment of the caregiver and the affordability of care by household.

Livelihood support for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities: findings from a scoping review and stakeholder survey.

Purpose: Poverty amongst families with a child with disability adversely impacts child and family quality of life. We aimed to identify existing approaches to livelihood support for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: This mixed-method study incorporated a scoping literature review and online stakeholder survey.

Learning from the Implementation of the Child Nutrition Program: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Process.

Nutrition and feeding interventions are important for children’s growth and development. Holt International’s Child Nutrition Program (CNP) is a child nutrition and feeding intervention. This study aims to describe and explore the implementation of CNP in Mongolia and the Philippines using mixed methods including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Early care and support for young children with developmental disabilities and their caregivers in Uganda: The Baby Ubuntu feasibility trial.

Background: Early care and support provision for young children with developmental disabilities is frequently lacking, yet has potential to improve child and family outcomes, and is crucial for promoting access to healthcare and early education. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, early evidence of impact and provider costs of the Baby Ubuntu participatory, peer-facilitated, group program for young children with developmental disabilities and their caregivers in Uganda.

Materials And Methods: A feasibility trial, with two parallel groups, compared Baby Ubuntu with standard care.

Feeding practices of children within institution-based care: A retrospective analysis of surveillance data.

There is limited information on the feeding practices of 9.42 million children living within institution-based care (IBC) worldwide. Poor feeding practices can predispose or exacerbate malnutrition, illness and disability.

The association between early-onset sepsis and neonatal encephalopathy.

Objective: We evaluated the association between early-onset sepsis and neonatal encephalopathy in a low-middle-income setting.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study in newborns with gestational age ≥35 weeks and/or birth weight ≥2500 grams, diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy. Early-onset sepsis was defined as culture-confirmed sepsis or probable sepsis.

Quantifying the Acute Care Costs of Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis and Meningitis in Mozambique and South Africa.

Background: Sepsis and meningitis are among the leading causes of neonatal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Neonatal sepsis caused ~400 000 deaths globally in 2015, half occurring in Africa. Despite this, there are few published data on the acute costs of neonatal sepsis or meningitis, with none in SSA.

Impact of early kangaroo mother care versus standard care on survival of mild-moderately unstable neonates <2000 grams: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Understanding the effect of early kangaroo mother care on survival of mild-moderately unstable neonates <2000 g is a high-priority evidence gap for small and sick newborn care.

Methods: This non-blinded pragmatic randomised clinical trial was conducted at the only teaching hospital in The Gambia. Eligibility criteria included weight <2000g and age 1-24 h with exclusion if stable or severely unstable.

Hypothermia is not therapeutic in a neonatal piglet model of inflammation-sensitized hypoxia-ischemia.

Background: Perinatal inflammation combined with hypoxia-ischemia (HI) exacerbates injury in the developing brain. Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is standard care for neonatal encephalopathy; however, its benefit in inflammation-sensitized HI (IS-HI) is unknown.

Methods: Twelve newborn piglets received a 2 µg/kg bolus and 1 µg/kg/h infusion over 52 h of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Pattern of comorbidities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Background: To describe the pattern of comorbidities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify which, if any, were associated with poor school attendance. A cross-sectional study, using the key informant methodology, between December 2017 and July 2018 was conducted in Cross River State, Nigeria. Assessments, confirmation of CP and identification of systemic comorbidities using standard tools and questionnaires were performed.

Surviving and Thriving: Early Intervention for Neonatal Survivors With Developmental Disability in Uganda.

Global attention on early child development, inclusive of those with disability, has the potential to translate into improved action for the millions of children with developmental disability living in low- and middle-income countries. Nurturing care is crucial for all children, arguably even more so for children with developmental disability. A high proportion of survivors of neonatal conditions such as prematurity and neonatal encephalopathy are affected by early child developmental disability.

Preterm care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative risk analysis of neonatal deaths averted by kangaroo mother care versus mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: COVID-19 is disrupting health services for mothers and newborns, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Preterm newborns are particularly vulnerable. We undertook analyses of the benefits of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on survival among neonates weighing ≤2000 g compared with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquired from infected mothers/caregivers.