Respiratory Interventions for Preterm Infants in LMICs: A Prospective Study From Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Preterm birth is a global public health issue and complications of preterm birth result in the death of approximately 1 million infants each year, 99% of which are in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC). Although respiratory interventions such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant have been shown to improve the outcomes of preterm infants with respiratory distress, they are not readily available in low-resourced areas. The aim of this study was to report the respiratory support needs and outcomes of preterm infants in a low-resourced setting, and to estimate the impact of a lack of access to these interventions on neonatal mortality.

A Comparison of the Accuracy of Various Methods of Postnatal Gestational Age Estimation; Including Ballard Score, Foot Length, Vascularity of the Anterior Lens, Last Menstrual Period and Also a Clinician's Non-Structured Assessment.

Introduction: Gestational age is a strong determinant of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Early obstetric ultrasound is the clinical reference standard, but is not widely available in many developing countries.

Methods: A prospectively designed diagnostic accuracy study in a tertiary referral hospital in a developing country.

Knowledge gaps among South African healthcare providers regarding the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal disease.

Objective: To evaluate obstetric healthcare provider knowledge regarding the prevention of group B streptococcal disease in South African infants.

Methods: Questionnaires exploring knowledge, attitudes and beliefs around group B streptococcal prevention were administered to consenting doctors and maternity nurses in a tertiary academic hospital. Qualitative assessments (focus groups) were undertaken with junior doctors and nurses.