PROJECTS

EMBRACE

EMBRACE is a state of the art portable NMRI (Neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine designed by Aspect Imaging. This machine is designed to be placed within NICU's (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) to allow for efficient and effective MRI scanning of neonates. It will become part of the Centre of Excellence in Central South Africa. This machine removes the obstacle of minimum infant weight/size required for a traditional MRI scan. It enables doctors to establish prognoses better, diagnose neonates earlier, and begin treatment earlier without transporting them to an MRI machine outside of the NICU. This machine will also create academic opportunities in postgraduate neonatal research projects and unique training opportunities for staff. It will also allow us to document and investigate intra-cranial pathology in neonates and better equip ourselves to care for neonates, especially in the NICU. We are currently fundraising for this very innovative project.

MAKE THE FIRST 1,000 DAYS COUNT PROJECT

The Make the First 1000 Days Count Project is an initiative by the Department of Paediatrics of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the MACAH Foundation to promote a solid foundation for future generations of our immediate communities and country. The annual 'First 1000 Days Awareness Month' was celebrated from 1-30 November 2023.

The initiative focuses on raising awareness and promoting the importance of the first 1000 days of life. Several YouTube videos were posted on social media platforms to increase knowledge among healthcare practitioners, teachers, youth, and policymakers. The following topics were discussed: Nutrition, Breastfeeding, Prematurity, HIV, Mental Health and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC).

According to Prof Corinna Walsh (Head of Nutrition and Dietetics), approximately 30% of children under the age of three's growth are stunted because of chronic malnutrition. The effects of stunting last a lifetime, resulting in more significant risks of diseases, lower productivity, and earning up to 20% lower average wages as adults. The first 1000 days of life, from conception to age two, is a critical period during which children's brains can form as many as one million neural connections every second, a once-in-a-lifetime pace that will never be repeated during their lifetime. These connections are the vital building blocks of every child's future.

BAGS4MOMS

Several bags are delivered to public hospitals each year for mothers and babies in need. The bags contain necessities for the newborn baby and new mother. Different institutions and individuals in the Mangaung area donate products to meet the needs of our moms and newborns.

'A baby is born needing to be loved and cared for – and never outgrows it'. This would not be possible without the generous hand of local businesses and supporters.

WORLD PREMATURITY DAY, 17 NOVEMBER

On Prematurity Day, 17 November, we celebrated the fighting preemies in the NICU and HICU. Honouring and supporting the mommies of these little, vulnerable babies is very important. The matron and nursing staff in the neonatal unit at the Universitas Academic Hospital spoiled them with purple cupcakes, sang songs, and gave them gifts. A photographer from Bloemfontein, who has a passion for babies, spoiled them by capturing beautiful photos of them on this special day.

All the staff, including the neonatologists, attended the memorable event and highlighted the importance of caring for our premature babies.

DREAM ROOM by Reach for a Dream

In April 2023, the Dream Room in Ward 10 at Universitas Academic Hospital opened its doors and was celebrated by staff, patients and management. The initiative was driven to create a space for chronically ill paediatric patients who often have to stay for long periods in the wards. The Reach for a Dream group also donated toys and child-friendly furniture. An on-site teacher and social worker offer activities to stimulate and support the children, and an intern works under their supervision to keep the children busy and motivate them to play and be happy!

AUTISM SUPPORT CENTRE
Early identification and intervention in children with an autism spectrum disorder have proven to have positive effects and enable them to reach their optimal capabilities. Prof DJ Griessel, heading the Centre, was selected as a senior country representative for autism at the International Society for Autism Research. The Autism Support Centre at the Unit for Professional Training and Service in the Behavioural Sciences (UNIBS) and Universitas Academic Hospital mainly focus on training, evaluations, and applicable interventions. It also presents training in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), the golden standard instrument for an autism diagnosis, and is used for ADOS evaluations by different professionals.

The Centre collaborated with several international partners, including Prof Lauren Franz from Duke University, North Carolina, and several research projects in partnership with Prof Petrus de Vries's laboratory, the Centre for Autism Research in Africa at UCT, and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Under the supervision of Prof Griessel, several postgraduate studies were completed: one D Psych, three M Psych studies and two M Med degrees. Two publications in international and national journals and a chapter in the Child Health for All textbook were published.

In 2023, a Support Group for individuals and families living with autism was established with senior psychologists and supervisors. Prof Griessel presented an Autism update course for the Psychology interns at the UFS. A peer-reviewed journal published an article, 'Reflections on Teaching Piano to Young Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders', by Prof DJ Griessel, N Nell and F de Villiers.

PELONOMI SOCIAL WORKERS PARTNERSHIP

A partnership between the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Department of Social Work at Pelonomi Hospital was created to assist patients in need. Several donations of children's clothes and baby blankets were given to provide for the needs of mommies and babies. Curtains were also donated to the Emergency Unit to create privacy between the patient beds.

THE MOTHER LODGER UNIT (MLU) PROJECT

The Mother Lodger Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital is home to mothers whose babies must stay in the hospital for an extended period. They can stay for days, weeks, and sometimes months to breastfeed and care for their newborns. Kangaroo Mother Care forms a crucial part of the recovery process of babies in the NICU. Breastfeeding week was celebrated from 01-07 August 2023, and in partnership with Life Rosepark Hospital, a breastfeeding specialist motivated the moms to celebrate their ability to breastfeed and reminded them of all the advantages it offers to their newborn babies. They donated 30 x Bags4Moms with necessities for the new mom and her newborn baby. Kesa Molotsane, the ambassador for Spar and the MACAH Foundation, donated a few boxes of maternity pads.

SAINT ANDREW'S BOYS CARE PROJECT

As part of their community service and outreach initiatives, St Andrew's School in Bloemfontein has been supporting maternal and child healthcare projects since 2005. These gentlemen contributed to raising teddy bears for sick children in various hospitals. During the winter of 2023, many baby clothes and nappies were donated to our newborns in multiple hospitals. At the end of November 2023, essential products for moms and babies were donated through the 'Caring for Christmas' drive on the evening of the Christmas Carols. Saint Andrew's School's continuous support enables and supports the community's most vulnerable citizens.

BEANIES4BABIES (B4B)

The need to address the risks and vulnerabilities of premature babies in the NICU is driven by a group of medical students from the University of the Free State. When admitted to the NICU, the dream is to provide comfort and support by warming the babies with booties and beanies.

This initiative has grown from two units in the Free State to ten in four provinces. More than 2500 B4B packs are handed out monthly in all the units, with Pelonomi and Universitas hospitals as our primary beneficiaries. Our appreciation and gratitude extend to the ladies who are knitting continuously.

A special thank you to Dr Johané Potgieter, an alumna of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the founder of this initiative!

RESEARCH

The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health has always been committed to the university's vision of being a research-led university. Research is promoted at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Department is also involved in several clinical trials in close collaboration with FARMOVS.

Undergraduate medical students
Our consultants act as supervisors for student groups during the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Research Project module (MSSM). During this module, the students have the opportunity to engage hands-on in research methodology: planning a research project, writing a protocol, execution of the project, interpretation of the results and writing a research report. Many of these projects have resulted in publications.
Postgraduate students (Registrars specialising in Paediatrics)
As part of the requirements to obtain the MMed(Paed) degree, all registrars must successfully complete a research project. The goal is to produce quality research that is publishable and contributes to the scientific body of knowledge. The Department's Research coordinator specifically supports the registrars in reaching this goal. This includes training on the research process and ethical aspects of research involving children and practical assistance and support to supervisors.
Contract research trials
The clinical research unit is located at FARMOVS. The close collaboration between FARMOVS and the Department has significantly increased our capacity to participate in clinical trials. The income generated from participation in contract research trials forms an integral part of the Department's third stream funding utilised for capacity building.
Departmental research projects

Research is not done only as part of academic programs. Consultants within the Department are involved in their research and in collaboration with other departments and institutions, e.g. SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalised South African Children: A multi-centre collaborative study to develop a COVID-19 Paediatric Registry: SA COVID KIDS study.

Current Research:

Children with special needs, Prof Andre (A) Venter
Paediatric Oncology and other projects, Prof David (DK) Stones
Life support and other Projects, Dr Lincoln (LJ) Solomon
Fenotipiese kenmerke, Prof Stephen (SC) Brown
Efficacy and safety of micafunging, Dr Annalie (AE) van der Vyver
Neonatale intensiewe sorgeenhede, Prof Beyers (BB) Hoek
Perinatal problems and other Projects, Dr David (DJ) Griessel

Summary of previous study areas:

Neurodevelopment, Prof Andre (A) Venter
Neonatology, Dr David (DJ) Griessel
Child development, Dr David (DJ) Griessel
Oncology & Haematology, Prof David (DK) Stones
Infectious diseases, Dr Ute (UM) Hallbauer
Nephroblastoma, Prof David (DK) Stones
Leukemia, Prof David (DK) Stones
Diacaustic 112/09, Digitally Automated Paediatric
Cardiac auscultation, Prof Stephen (SC) Brown

Previous studies:

Coping responses as moderator in subjective well being, self-esteem, anger and comorbid psychopathology in adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Prof Andre (A) Venter
Demografie van trauma in pediatriese pasiënte, Prof Andre (A) Venter (Studente)
An evaluation of different echocardiographic modalities to measure left ventricle function in children receiving chemotherapy, Me J Badenhorst (Brown) BTech
The assessment of Echocardiography and tissue Doppler Profiles of asymptomatic patients in a general cardiology practice, J Steyn (Brown) BTech
M-mode measurement in premature infants, Prof Stephen (SC) Brown
The establishment of reference endocardiographic measurement for premature and low birth weight infants in the Free State and Northern Cape, Me S Jacobs (Brown) BTech
3D LV regter ventrikel funksie, Prof Stephen (SC) Brown
Homograft inplanting by skape in samewerking met Kardiotorakschirurgie, Mnr Rudolph (SR) Pretorius
International randomized double blind study evaluating the efficacy and safety of clopidigres 0.2mg/kg once daily versus placebo in neonates and infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease palliated with a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt (e.g.) modified Blalock Taussig shunt, Prof Stephen (SC) Brown, Dr Andre (AD) Bruwer
Prone positioning and motor development in the first 6 weeks of life, Me Dorothy (DC) Russell
Perinatal problem identification, Dr David (DJ) Griessel, Dr Annalie (AE) van der Vyver
Quality of language stimulation in Pre-school settings, Dr David (DJ) Griessel
Preventable factors in neurodevelopmental delay, Dr David (DJ) Griessel
Perinatal problem identification program (PPIP), Dr David (DJ) Griessel
The quality of language stimulation in Pre-School Setting – In collaboration with Dept of Psychology of Education, Dr David (DJ) Griessel
Outcome of traumatic brain injury in children at Pelonomi hospital, Dr Lincoln (LJ) Solomon
Prognosis and outcome of patients with solid tumours in the Paediatric Oncology patients at the Bloemfontein Hospital Complex, Prof David (DK) Stones
Prognosis and outcome of children with brain tumours, Prof David (DK) Stones
Outcome of central lines inserted in paediatric oncology patients in the Bloemfontein Hospital Complex, Prof David (DK) Stones
Outcome of patients with lymphoma, Prof David (DK) Stones
Outcome of solid tumours in the paediatric oncology patients seen at the Bloemfontein Hospital Complex, Prof David (DK) Stones
Retrospective study of the patient profile and outcome of patients admitted to the paediatric care unit of the Academic Hospital Complex, Prof David (DK) Stones
Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) and cancer in children, Prof David (DK) Stones
EISAI (Quintiles) Etovs Nr 71/08 – Randomized, double-blind study, placebo controlled study of efficacy and safety of Donepezil Hydrochloride in pre-adolescent and adolescent children with attention impairment following cancer treatment, Prof David (DK) Stones, Me Yolande (Y) Goosen
A retrospective study and ongoing study of patients with Fanconi Anaemia seen by the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health since the early 1980's, Dr David (DJ) Griessel

SIPPET (Survey in Inhibitors in Plasma-Product Exposed Toddlers) – Inhibitor development in previously untreated or patients minimally blood component – treated on patients when exposed to plasma derived Von Willebrandt Factor containing Factor VIII (VWF.FVII) concentrates and to recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII) concentrates: An independent, international, multicentre, prospective, controlled, randomized, open label, clinical trial, Prof David (DK) Stones
Use of oxygen non-invasively in children, Dr Ute (U) Hallbauer
Pertussis in Bloemfontein 2008/2009, Dr Ute (U) Hallbauer
Ethionamide induced hyperthyroidism in children, Dr Ute (U) Hallbauer
Chronic supportive otitits media in children in the Free State: Bacteriology and contributing factors, Dr Ute (U) Hallbauer
Evaluation of oxygen to paediatric patients in Public Sector Hospitals in the Free State, Dr Ute (U) Hallbauer (Student)
Plasing van nasogastriese buise en umbilikale lyne. Prof Beyers (BB) Hoek (Student)
“Understanding non-attendance” at Paediatric Outpatient Department, Pelonomi Hospital, Dr Annalie (AE) van der Vyver (Student)
The quality of language stimulation in Pre-school facilities, Dr David (DJ)Griessel (Student)
Cytomegalovirus pneumonia co-infection with pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in HIV exposed infants admitted with suspected pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Dr Alex (AO) Ogugua (Kappos)
Eosinofiele in sepsis, Dr Bernice (B) Powell (Hoek)
Temperatuur van kraam tot in eenheid, Dr Carrie-Leigh (C) Greig (Hoek)
A 12-month comparison between growth-, immunological- and virological parameters in the HIV infected child, started on ARV’s at a Paediatric ARV site at Kimberley Provincial Hospital, Northern Cape Province, Dr Liesl (L) du Plessis.

PUBLICATIONS

Division Paediatric Cardiology

Publications 2009

Use of a microcatheter in a telescopic system to reach difficult targets in complex congenital heart disease. SC Brown, D Boshoff, B Eyskens, L Mertens, M Gewillig. Cath Cardiovasc Interven 2009;73:676-81
Hybrid approach as bridge to biventricular repair in an infant with borderline hypoplastic left ventricle. SC Brown, D Boshoff, B Eyskens, M Gewillig. Eur J Cardiothorac Sur 2009;35:1080-82.
Coronary compression caused by stenting a right pulmonary artery conduit. M Gewillig, SC Brown. Cath Cardiovasc Interven 2009;74.144-147.
Transapical left ventricular access for difficult to reach interventional targets in the left heart. Brown SC*, Boshoff DE, Rega F, Eyskens B, Budts W,M, Heidbüchel H, Meyns BMD, Gewillig MMD. Cath Cardiovasc Interven 2009;74:137-42.
Premature fetal closure of the arterial duct clinical presentations and outcome. M Gewillig, SC Brown, L De Catte, A Debeer, B Eyskens,V Cossey, Van Schoubroeck, C Van Hole, R Devlieger. Eur heart J 2009;30:1530-36.
Perforation of the Aortic sinus after closure of atrial septal defects with the Atriasept occluder. Brown S, Gewillig M. Cath Cardiovasc Interven 2009;74:298-301.
The burden of cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Hewitson J, Brown S, Hugo-Hamman C, Zulhke L, Hoosen E, Harrisberg J. SA Heart ;2009;6:209 (correspondence)
Audit of Paediatric cardiac services in South Africa. EGM Hoosen, AM Cilliers, CT Hugo-Hamman, SC Brown, JR Harrisberg, F Takawira, K Govendrageloo, J Lawrenson, J Hewitson. SA Heart 2010;7:4-9.

FACULTY CONTACT

Central Information Office
T: +27 51 401 3739
F: +27 86 579 5154

E: StudentAdminFHS@ufs.ac.za

Student Administration
Faculty Administration

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