Two Superbugs Cause Majority of Newborn Deaths in Soweto
Over the last decade, researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand studied small tissue samples from 1,586 children under five who died in public health facilities in Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg. Their analysis revealed that more than half of deaths among newborns and about one third of infant deaths were caused by only two types of bacteria.
Key Findings from the Study
- The research was conducted by the University of the Witwatersrand’s vaccines and infectious diseases analytics unit.
- The area studied includes a mix of informal settlements and structured housing, offering insight into other urban townships in South Africa.
- Many of the infant deaths were linked to infections that are preventable with proper care.
Significance of the Data
Ziyaad Dangor, head of the South African branch of the nine-country Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (Champs) study, emphasized that while it is known many babies die from preventable infections, the detailed data from this study provide valuable new insights.
“The cases seen here are a good window into what is likely to be seen in other urban townships in South Africa too,” said the research team.
“This is not new knowledge, but it’s the detail in the study’s data that’s so valuable,” said Ziyaad Dangor.
Newsletter Invitation
Linda Pretorius highlights in today’s newsletter how these two superbugs are responsible for half of newborn deaths. Interested readers are encouraged to sign up for ongoing updates.
Author’s summary: This study reveals that two bacterial superbugs are responsible for most newborn deaths in Soweto, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted infection prevention in urban South African townships.