Study protocol for a population-based observational surveillance study of culture-confirmed neonatal bloodstream infections and meningitis in South Africa: Baby GERMS-SA.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Worldwide, neonatal mortality remains high accounting for 47% of childhood deaths in 2019 and including an estimated 500 000 deaths from neonatal infections. While 42% of global neonatal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited understanding of population-level burden and aetiology of neonatal infections outside tertiary-level institutions.

Methods and analysis

We aim to implement the first population-level surveillance for bloodstream infections and meningitis among neonates aged <28 days in South Africa. Tier 1 will include national surveillance of culture-confirmed neonatal infections at all public-sector hospitals describing infection incidence risk, pathogen profile and antimicrobial susceptibility by institution, province and healthcare level (

SUBMITTER: Meiring S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8830263 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature