Publications by authors named "Etienne D Nel"

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to establish normal ranges for liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in healthy South African children, using transient elastography to assess liver health.
  • A total of 104 children, average age 12.8 years, were analyzed; findings showed boys had higher liver stiffness levels than girls, and stiffness increased with age.
  • Although CAP values were influenced by body mass index (BMI), they did not show variation based on age or sex.
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Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in South African children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) who started treatment early and remain on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to HIV-uninfected children.

Design: A cross-sectional study from April 2019 to October 2021. PHIV, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HU) children were enrolled from an ongoing cohort study.

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Background: Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) in children is poorly described and often poses a diagnostic challenge. We evaluated abdominal involvement in children presenting with bacteriologically confirmed TB.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018, of all children (<13 years) diagnosed with bacteriologically confirmed TB, in whom abdominal involvement was found.

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The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is challenging, and the prevalence of abdominal TB in children is likely underestimated. It may present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms and signs, but children who present with pulmonary TB may have additional abdominal subclinical involvement. Diagnosis is specifically challenging because none of the available diagnostic tools provide adequate sensitivity and specificity.

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Background: Swallowing disorders, well recognised in adults, contribute to HIV-infection morbidity. Little data however is available for HIV-infected children. The purpose of this study is to describe swallowing disorders in a group of HIV-infected children in Africa after the introduction of combined anti-retroviral therapy.

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This retrospective study describes 63 patients <18 years of age presenting with cryptosporidial diarrhea to Tygerberg Children's' Hospital, a referral centre in the Western Cape, South Africa, from June 2004 through May 2005. Their mean age was 18.7 months (SD 17 months).

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