Publications by authors named "Macrine Olwala"
Article Synopsis
- Preterm and very low birthweight (VLBW) infants face high health risks in their early days, with full enteral feeding being crucial for their care, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where data on feeding practices is limited.
- This study analyzed demographic and clinical data from 484 preterm and VLBW infants across 7 neonatal units in Nigeria and Kenya to assess factors affecting the time to achieve full enteral feeds.
- Results indicated a significant percentage of mortality before feeding, revealing that earlier first feeds and gestational age greatly influenced the time to reach full enteral feeds, suggesting that implementing standardized feeding guidelines could improve outcomes in these infants.
Objectives: Neonatal sepsis, a major cause of death amongst infants in sub-Saharan Africa, is often gut derived. Gut colonisation by Enterobacteriaceae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase enzymes can lead to antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) or untreatable infections. We sought to explore the rates of colonisation by ESBL or carbapenemase producers in two neonatal units (NNUs) in West and East Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Accurate and timely diagnosis of common neonatal conditions is crucial for reducing neonatal deaths. In low/middle-income countries with limited resources, there is sparse information on how neonatal diagnoses are made. The aim of this study was to describe the diagnostic criteria used for common conditions in neonatal units (NNUs) in Nigeria and Kenya.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Simulation is an effective educational tool increasingly being utilized in medical education globally and across East Africa. Globally, pediatric patients often present with low frequency, high acuity disease and simulation-based training in pediatric emergencies can equip physicians with the skills to recognize and intervene. Northwestern University (NU) in Chicago, IL, USA, and Maseno University (MU), in Kisumu, Kenya launched a predominantly virtual partnership in 2020 to utilize the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) simulation center for MU faculty development in simulation based medical education (SBME) for medical students.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Optimizing nutrition in very preterm (28-32 weeks gestation) and very low birth weight (VLBW; 1,000 g to <1,500 g) infants has potential to improve their survival, growth, and long-term health outcomes.
Aim: To assess feeding practices in Nigeria and Kenya for very preterm and VLBW newborn infants.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where convenience sampling was used.