Publications by authors named "Cheryl Mackay"
Young adult reflections on life experiences following preterm birth: a cross-sectional descriptive study.
Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
November 2024
Background: Increasingly, preterm-born children are entering adulthood as survival at earlier gestational ages improves. However, there is little understanding of the lived experience in preterm-born adults.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted including young adults from a regional birth cohort of infants born <33 weeks in Western Australia.
Article Synopsis
- - Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition leading to high mortality and morbidity, particularly affecting low and middle-income countries, while late-onset sepsis (LOS) still impacts a notable percentage of infants in high-income countries.
- - A study at King Edward Memorial Hospital analyzed data from over 23,000 newborns, finding 370 sepsis episodes; predominant causes for early-onset sepsis were Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli, whereas coagulase-negative staphylococci and E. coli were the main culprits for LOS, which decreased in incidence over the study period.
- - Infants with sepsis faced significantly worse health outcomes, including higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and
Article Synopsis
- Inflammation, oxidative injury, and gut dysbiosis contribute to necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), and plant-derived substances are traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects.
- A systematic review analyzed 16 studies involving randomized controlled trials focusing on the impact of plant-derived interventions in animal models of NEC, with outcomes such as mortality rates and intestinal injury severity.
- Results showed that these plant-based substances significantly reduced mortality and the incidence of NEC, while also improving inflammation and oxidative stress markers, suggesting potential for developing preventive food supplements for NEC in preterm infants.
Background: Childhood outcomes following preterm birth are widely published, however long-term adult outcomes are less well described. We aimed to determine the quality of life and burden of co-morbidities experienced by preterm-born young adults in Western Australia.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted.
Article Synopsis
- Dora Nginza Hospital (DNH) has a neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 31.3/1000 live births, significantly higher than South Africa's national average of 18.1/1000.
- A study of neonates who died at DNH found an NMR of 17.7/1000, with early (70.6%) and late (29.4%) neonatal deaths primarily due to infection, immaturity, and congenital abnormalities.
- Recommendations to reduce mortality include enhancing infection control, better resource allocation, improving antenatal care, ongoing staff training, and ensuring newborns maintain normal body temperature.
Introduction: Worldwide, neonatal mortality remains high accounting for 47% of childhood deaths in 2019 and including an estimated 500 000 deaths from neonatal infections. While 42% of global neonatal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited understanding of population-level burden and aetiology of neonatal infections outside tertiary-level institutions.
Methods And Analysis: We aim to implement the first population-level surveillance for bloodstream infections and meningitis among neonates aged <28 days in South Africa.
Neurodevelopmental impairment is common in premature infants. We aimed to describe neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants at 12 months postmenstrual age (PMA) and correlated with maternal HIV status. A single-centre, prospective cohort study was conducted from 1 June 2017 to 31 January 2019 with follow-up to 12 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) is common in preterms and may be associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Objective: Describe postnatal growth in a cohort of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and determine the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in umbilical cord blood with growth at 40 weeks and 12 months postmenstrual age (PMA).
Methods: Single-centre, prospective cohort study conducted from 1 June 2017 to 31 January 2019 with follow-up to 31 March 2020.
Objectives: South Africa has a double burden of high neonatal mortality and maternal HIV prevalence. Common to both is a proinflammatory in utero and perinatal milieu. The aim of this study was to determine cytokine profiles in HIV exposed (HE) and HIV unexposed (HU) very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and to determine whether these were associated with predischarge outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are associated with complications which may be due to delayed retrieval. Initiation of an automated reminder system may improve retrieval rates and reduce complications. A computerized reminder system, which provides interactive email reminders after implantation while collecting IVCF use data, was implemented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: IVCFs are usually placed under fluoroscopic guidance in dedicated angiography suites. Bedside placement of inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) is possible in patients not suitable for transportation, but data regarding their use are limited. The objective of this study is to compare utilization, procedural outcomes, complications, and long-term patient outcomes associated with bedside placement of IVCFs using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and fluoroscopic placement of IVCF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Patients with metastatic carcinoma and venous thromboembolism commonly have contraindications to anticoagulation that prompt the use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of inferior vena cava filter use, anticoagulation management, and development of inferior vena cava filter-related complications in patients with localized versus metastatic carcinoma.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of inferior vena cava filter use at a tertiary referral hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011.
Background: Venous thromboembolism contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Because cancer patients frequently have contraindications to anticoagulation, inferior vena cava filters are commonly placed. The use, safety, and retrieval of retrievable inferior vena cava filters in cancer patients have not been well studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRetrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) were designed to provide temporary protection from pulmonary embolism in high-risk situations. However, little is known about their effectiveness, and many remain permanently implanted, leading to potential complications. The aim of this study was to determine patient characteristics, indications for IVCF placement, retrieval rates, complications, and post-IVCF anticoagulation (AC) practices in patients who have received IVCFs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvasive fungal disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonate. The current study aims to assess the 1, 3-βD-Glucan (BG) assay in a prospective analysis in neonates with suspected fungaemia. A multicentre, prospective cohort study was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Little is known about the growth of VLBW infants in South Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the growth of a cohort of VLBW infants in Johannesburg.
Methods: A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort was conducted on 139 VLBW infants (birth weight ≤ 1500 g) admitted to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.