Growth patterns and clinical outcomes in association with breastfeeding duration in HIV exposed and unexposed infants: a cohort study in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and breastfeeding with complementary feeds until 12 months for HIV exposed and uninfected (HEU) infants or 24 months for HIV unexposed (HU) infants is the current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation for low and middle income countries (LMICs) to improve clinical outcomes and growth trajectories in infants. In a post-hoc evaluation of HEU and HU cohorts, we examine growth patterns and clinical outcomes in the first 9 months of infancy in association with breastfeeding duration.

Methods: Two cohorts of infants, HEU and HU from a low-socioeconomic township in South Africa, were evaluated from birth until 9 months of age.

Are there decision support tools that might strengthen the health system for perinatal care in South African district hospitals? A review of the literature.

Background: South Africa has a high burden of perinatal deaths in spite of the availability of evidence-based interventions. The majority of preventable perinatal deaths occur in district hospitals and are mainly related to the functioning of the health system. Particularly, leadership in district hospitals needs to be strengthened in order to decrease the burden of perinatal mortality.

A health system framework for perinatal care in South African district hospitals: a Delphi technique.

Background: The majority of perinatal deaths occurring in low- and middle- income countries are preventable. South Africa is a middle-income country with consistently high perinatal mortality rates and most factors contributing to preventable deaths are linked to the functioning of the health system. Particularly of concern in South Africa is the high perinatal mortality in district hospitals, where most births occur and where intrapartum care is provided to women of low and intermediate risk.