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JournalISSN: 1994-3032

South African Journal of Child Health 

Health and Medical Publishing Group
About: South African Journal of Child Health is an academic journal published by Health and Medical Publishing Group. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1994-3032. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 580 publications have been published receiving 3041 citations. The journal is also known as: SAJCH.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of this study showed that SA scores were statistically significantly higher than the US norms, however, the difference is small when one considers the variability of development.
Abstract: Background. A suitable tool is needed to assess child development in South Africa (SA). Using Western normed tools presents difficulties. Aim. To determine whether the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (Bayley-III) can be used on black African urban infants in SA. Method. One hundred and twenty-two black African infants in Gauteng, SA, were assessed using the Bayley-III. Results. Overall the SA mean score was 103.4, which is statistically significantly higher ( p =0.0007) than the mean of 100 for the USA. For subtests, the mean score was 99.7 for the cognitive, 106.8 for the language and 103.5 for the motor subtests as opposed to 100 for the USA. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that SA scores were statistically significantly higher than the US norms. Clinically, however, the difference is small when one considers the variability of development. Recommendation. The Bayley-III is a suitable tool for use on the black urban African population in Gauteng, SA.

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The EBF rate in the environment was very low despite a high level of knowledge among mothers, and efforts must be intensified to reiterate the benefits of EBF and address the identified hindrances, via health education of the broader community to enlist family support for breastfeeding mothers.
Abstract: Background . Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of babies for 6 months, as recommended by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), remains a well-recognised childhood survival strategy of great benefit in reducing infant and under-5 mortality rates. Objectives . To evaluate the correlation of certain socio-demographic and cultural factors with the ability of mothers to practise EBF for 6 months. Subjects and methods . Two hundred mothers were interviewed about their knowledge of EBF and their behaviour regarding breastfeeding. The factors associated with constraints on, and motivations for, EBF were tabulated using the chi-square and Studentfs t-tests. Results . Of 184 respondents, more than 90% had adequate knowledge of EBF. Thirty-nine (21.2%) practised EBF for all their children, while 95 (51.6%) mothers had never practised EBF with any child. Among those who provided EBF, a high maternal educational level, small family size (.4 children) and absence of opposing family beliefs were important factors. Most subjects were from the upper and middle socio-economic classes (43.6% and 53.8% respectively). Among the 95 women who never attempted EBF, a large family size, personal decision-making and family opposition, especially from grandmothers (41.1%), played significant roles. Conclusion . The EBF rate in our environment was very low despite a high level of knowledge among mothers. Efforts must be intensified to reiterate the benefits of EBF and address the identified hindrances, via health education of the broader community to enlist family support for breastfeeding mothers. There is also a need for fewer progeny. 14 SAJCH

61 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For example, this paper found that between 33% and 81% of the children recorded subnormal intelligence quotients on various cognitive tests after 6 months of HAART and the prevalence and extent of deficits did not change significantly in response to short-term HAART.
Abstract: Results: At enrolment, the mean (±SD) age was 60±46 months, 17 (44%) and 22 (56%) had Centers for Disease Control (CDC) clinical category B and C disease respectively, and 36 (92%) had severe immunosuppression. At the start of HAART no child had cranial nerve or cerebellar dysfunction, but 13/29 (33.3%) had evidence of motor dysfunction. By 6 months 1 child had developed cerebellar dysfunction, but there was no statistically significant change in the frequency of motor dysfunction. Mean baseline performances on cognitive testing were generally subnormal. Between 33% and 81% of the children recorded subnormal intelligence quotients on various cognitive tests. Mean performances did not change significantly after 6 months of HAART. Conclusion: Neurological and neurocognitive deficits are frequent in HIV-infected children. The prevalence and extent of deficits did not change significantly in response to short-term HAART, indicating neither spontaneous improvement nor deterioration during early treatment.

61 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Schoolchildren from industrially exposed communities experienced higher covariate-adjusted prevalences of persistent asthma and marked AHR than children from communities distant from industrial sources.
Abstract: Objectives. To examine associations between ambient air pollutants and respiratory outcomes among schoolchildren in Durban, South Africa. Methods. Primary schools from within each of seven communities in two regions of Durban (the highly industrialised south compared with the non-industrial north) were selected. Children from randomly selected grade 4 classrooms were invited to participate. Standardised interviews, spirometry, methacholine challenge testing and skin-prick testing were conducted. Particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and carbon monoxide were monitored at each school, while nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and other pollutants were monitored at other sites. Results. SO 2 was significantly higher in the south than in the north, while PM concentrations were similar across the city. The prevalence of symptoms consistent with asthma of any severity was 32.1%. Covariate-adjusted prevalences were higher among children from schools in the south than among those from the north for persistent asthma (12.2% v. 9.6 %) and for marked airway hyperreactivity (AHR) (8.1% v. 2.8%), while SO 2 resulted in a twofold increased risk of marked AHR (95% confidence interval 0.98 - 4.66; p =0.056). Conclusions. Schoolchildren from industrially exposed communities experienced higher covariate-adjusted prevalences of persistent asthma and marked AHR than children from communities distant from industrial sources. Our findings are strongly suggestive of industrial pollution-related adverse respiratory health effects among these children.

57 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The profile of children with PDD attending a tertiary hospital developmental clinic in the Western Cape revealed that a high proportion had severe language impairment, behavioural problems and complex autism.
Abstract: Background. Little has been published on autism in Africa, and it is not known whether South African children present with the same characteristics and challenges as described internationally. Objectives. To describe the demographics, history, clinical features, co-morbidity and yield of aetiological investigations in children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Methods. This was a retrospective review of medical records of children fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for a PDD who attended a tertiary developmental clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, Western Cape, South Africa, over a 2-year period (2008 - 2010). Results. Fifty-eight children were included. The median age at diagnosis was 42 months (range 15 - 106 months), and 45 (77.6%) were boys. Forty per cent had complex autism (dysmorphism with or without microcephaly), and 12.1% were macrocephalic. Most children (72.4%) were non-verbal (using fewer than 10 non-echoed words), and 89.0% had behavioural problems as reported by caregivers. The diagnostic yield of investigations was low. Conclusion. The profile of children with PDD attending a tertiary hospital developmental clinic in the Western Cape revealed that a high proportion had severe language impairment, behavioural problems and complex autism.

55 citations

Performance
Metrics
No. of papers from the Journal in previous years
YearPapers
20239
202231
202117
202042
201936
201853