Two Superbugs Cause Over Half of the Infections That Kill Newborns in Soweto
Over the past decade, researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand analysed small tissue samples from 1,586 children under five who died at public health facilities in Soweto. The results reveal that two types of bacteria were responsible for more than half of the deaths in newborns and about one-third of deaths in infants.
Key Findings from the Study
The study, conducted by the university’s vaccines and infectious diseases analytics unit, focused on deaths in Soweto, a region with a mix of informal settlements and formal housing. This diversity makes the findings relevant to many urban townships across South Africa.
- Over 50% of newborn deaths were caused by just two bacterial superbugs.
- About 33% of infant deaths were linked to the same bacteria.
- Many infants die from preventable infections.
Expert Commentary
“This is not new knowledge, but it’s the detail in the study’s data that’s so valuable,” said Ziyaad Dangor, head of South Africa's participation in the nine-country Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (Champs) study.
Context and Implications
Linda Pretorius highlights in today’s newsletter how these two superbugs are rapidly outsmarting current treatments, contributing to the high mortality rate among newborns. The study emphasizes the urgent need to address these infections to reduce preventable child deaths in urban communities.
About the Study Area
Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg, represents a broad range of living conditions, from informal settlements to more structured houses, offering insight into infection risks in similar urban settings.
Author’s summary: Two bacterial superbugs cause the majority of newborn and infant deaths in Soweto, underlining the urgent need for improved infection prevention and treatment strategies in South African urban areas.