Mapatha, Leshata Abigail2023-04-042023-04-042022https://hdl.handle.net/10539/34883A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Paediatrics to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, 2022Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been associated with improved growth in low birthweight infants and reduction in hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, apnoeas, sepsis, hospital stay and mortality. The growth of HIV-infected children is poorer than those who are HIV-uninfected. There is paucity of data on the growth in the HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) infants receiving KMC. Aim: This study compared the growth of HEU and infants HUU from admission to the KMC ward until 12 months corrected age (CA) follow-up visit. Methods: Retrospective record review of the neonates admitted in KMC at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital over a two-year period (2012-2013). The weight gain was assessed via weight velocity using the formula; weight/kg/day from admission to KMC to discharge, at term, 3, 6 and 9- and 12-months (CA). The demographics were collected and analysed using Statistica. Results: Seventy-seven (129/166) percent of the mothers were HIV negative. HIV negative mothers were younger (25.9 vs 31.6 years; p=0.000) and had fewer pregnancies (p=0.02). There was no difference between the gestational age (30.3±2.53 vs 30.8±2.88 weeks; p=0.35) and birthweight (1345g±234 vs 1314g±209; p= 0.47) between HEU and HUU. There were no differences in the weight gain (23.84g±12.18 vs 23.22±15.16; p=0.83) in KMC. There were no differences in weight gain at the different follow-up time points between the two groups. Conclusion: Both HEU and HUU groups of infants showed reasonable weight gain above 15g/kg/day despite maternal HIV statusenDissertation