A 6-year review of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis at a public children's hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is the most common cause of acute nephritis in children globally and, in some cases, may be associated with progressive kidney injury and failure, cumulating in the need for long-term dialysis and/or kidney transplantation.

Methods: Our retrospective study describes the occurrence of APSGN among children (< 14 years) admitted to a tertiary children's hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, from January 2015 to December 2020.

Results: Of 161 children who presented with acute nephritis (haematuria, oedema, oliguria, and hypertension), 100 met the inclusion criteria.

RSV infection in children hospitalised with severe lower respiratory tract infection in a low-middle-income setting: A cross-sectional observational study.

Introduction: Low- and middle-income countries carry the largest burden of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, with most deaths occurring in these settings. This study aimed to investigate the burden of RSV disease in South African children hospitalised with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), with specific reference to incidence, risk factors, and co-infections.

Methods: A database from a previous prospective study containing demographic, laboratory and clinical data on children hospitalised with LRTIs in Cape Town, South Africa, was used.

Association of full blood count findings with risk of mortality in children with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection at a south african children's hospital.

Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), is a leading cause of hospital-associated childhood mortality. There are limited data on how poor outcomes of KPBSI can be predicted in poorly resourced areas. This study aimed to assess if the profile of differential counts from full blood counts (FBC) taken at two time points in children with KPBSI could be used to predict the risk of death.

The prevalence of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmed paediatric poisoning at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Paediatric poisoning is a common presentation to emergency departments worldwide. There is a paucity of data on the role of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), in the management of paediatric poisoning in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries, most studies are retrospective, and few include children.

Clinical use and indications for head computed tomography in children presenting with acute medical illness in a low- and middle-income setting.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) imaging is an indispensable tool in the management of acute paediatric neurological illness providing rapid answers that facilitate timely decisions and interventions that may be lifesaving. While clear guidelines exist for use of CT in trauma to maximise individual benefits against the risk of radiation exposure and the cost to the healthcare system, the same is not the case for medical emergency.

Aims: The study primarily aimed to retrospectively describe indications for non-trauma head CT and the findings at a tertiary paediatric hospital.

Effects of saline or albumin fluid bolus in resuscitation: evidence from re-analysis of the FEAST trial.

Background: Fluid resuscitation is the recommended management of shock, but increased mortality in febrile African children in the FEAST trial. We hypothesised that fluid bolus-induced deaths in FEAST would be associated with detectable changes in cardiovascular, neurological, or respiratory function, oxygen carrying capacity, and blood biochemistry.

Methods: We developed composite scores for respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological function using vital sign data from the FEAST trial, and used them to compare participants from FEAST with those from four other cohorts and to identify differences between the bolus (n=2097) and no bolus (n=1044) groups of FEAST.

A Comparison of Parenteral Phenobarbital vs. Parenteral Phenytoin as Second-Line Management for Pediatric Convulsive Status Epilepticus in a Resource-Limited Setting.

Pediatric convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) which is refractory to first-line benzodiazepines is a significant clinical challenge, especially within resource-limited countries. Parenteral phenobarbital is widely used in Africa as second-line agent for pediatric CSE, however evidence to support its use is limited. This study aimed to compare the use of parenteral phenobarbital against parenteral phenytoin as a second-line agent in the management of pediatric CSE.

Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections at a South African children's hospital 2006-2011, a cross-sectional study.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a significant paediatric bloodstream pathogen in children. There is little data from Africa. In this study we describe the epidemiology of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection (KPBSI) at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Antiretroviral treatment for children.

Objective: To describe the response of children during their first year on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Design: Retrospective, descriptive.

Setting: Tertiary, referral hospital.

Initial experience of a public sector antiretroviral treatment programme for HIV-infected children and their infected parents.

Objective: To describe the initial experience of treating HIV-infected children and their infected parents with antiretroviral therapy.

Design: Prospective, cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary, referral hospital.