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Alex Osei-Akoto

Child Health

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About

I am a Lecturer at Associate Professor position, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, and Consultant Paediatrician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi Ghana. I am a Fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians and also of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.I teach General paedaitrics (with special interest in haematology) to a wide range of undergraduate students including Medical, Emergency Nursing, and Physician assistant students. I also teach postgraduate students in the Master of Public health Reproductive and Child health course in the School of Public Health, KNUST. I have been supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students in their research and theses work and have also acted as local superisor for some PhD students studying abroad. I am also a trainer and supervisor of residents in the residency training for paediatrics in both the West African College of Physicians and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, I offer clinical services and I have served as Clinical Coordinator, Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and also Head of Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic and Head of paediatric Haematology unit for many years. I have worked in the Sickle cell clinical programme in the hospital since 1993 and has contributed to the success of the Newborn Screening programme in the hospital and beyond since 1995. I served as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee, Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease, Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service, Ghana in the early 2000s' when Ghana decided to implement newborn screening for SCD throughout the country. I have also served on other national health technical committees in the past.I served as the Principal Investigator for The Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCo 1, 2017-2021) for the Ghana site. SPARCO consists of collaborative consortium sites at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania- The Hub, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and Abuja University, Nigeria. Clinicians, academicians, and scientists from these 3 sites are participating in activities in health, education and/or research, employing local infrastructure. Currently I aam among a team of clinicians involved in the SPARCO II (2021-2024) for the Ghana site.I am hte Principal Investigator for a number of Clinical trials in SCD, many of which are about to start; also acted as Principal Investigator for HESTIA 3 Sponsored by AstraZeneca with Protocol Number: D51 36C00009 Clinical Trial , a Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Multicentre, Phase lll Study to Evaluate the Effect of Ticagrelor versus Placebo in Reducing the Rate of Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Paediatric Patients with Sickle Ceil Disease

Research Summary

(inferred from publications by AI)

Malaria Research and Control: A Systematic Review of Published Papers highlights advancements in understanding malaria resistance mechanisms, particularly two novel loci for severe malaria in Ghanaian children. The research also explores the efficacy of vaccines such as RTS,S/AS02D and RTS,S/AS01E, emphasizing personalized approaches to treatment schedules in children. Additionally, studies examine the role of von Willebrand factor propeptide in endothelial cell activation and the diagnostic significance of capillary refill time. Child Nutrition and Water Access: The findings emphasize severe undernutrition among Ghanaian children, with a focus on chronic conditions like asymptomatic malaria and poverty-related health crises. Research highlights the link between water scarcity and complications such as heart failure and metabolic disturbances, underscoring the urgent need for improved water access and sanitation. Hemoglobin Pathies and Related Disorders: This theme focuses on sickle cell disease, where studies explore alloimmunization in transfused patients with African blood groups. Findings indicate missed red blood cell antibodies in certain populations, prompting further investigation into hemolysis marker detection techniques. Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology: Case studies demonstrate the complexities of TB in Côte d'Ivoire, including increased rates of Burkitt’s lymphoma and challenges associated with chemotherapy. Data highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies to address this growing health crisis. Blood Groups and Transfusion: Research emphasizes alloantibodies in sickle cell transfusions, particularly focusing on missed antibodies in African populations. Studies reveal gaps in red blood cell testing protocols to ensure accurate diagnosis. Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology: The theme explores stigma around Sickle Cell Disease in Kumasi, Ghana, examining how cultural and religious influences impact health care access. Findings underscore the importance of addressing these systemic barriers for broader access to medical services. Iron Metabolism and Disorders: Research investigates iron stores in sickle cell children and their metabolic consequences, particularly in steady-state conditions. Findings reveal nutritional challenges faced by patients with this disease. Viral-associated cancers and disorders: A case study on Burkitt’s lymphoma provides insights into its epidemiology and clinical manifestations, offering guidance for early detection and treatment. Global Maternal and Child Health: Studies examine maternal mortality rates following emergency units in African regions. Findings emphasize the critical role of emergency services in early intervention and care delivery. Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics: Research highlights advancements in prenatal diagnostics, particularly in identifying complications such as preeclampsia. Findings underscore the importance of accurate testing to ensure safe pregnancies. Poisoning and Overdose Treatments: Studies focus on heart failure and suicide cases caused by overdose, providing insights into prevention strategies. Findings emphasize the need for robust safety nets to reduce risks. Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment: Case studies demonstrate diagnostic markers in African Burkitt’s lymphomas and their role in clinical decision-making. Findings highlight challenges in treatment efficacy and patient outcome. Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life: Research examines nutritional interventions post-chemotherapy and their impact on survivors’ well-being. Findings suggest that nutrition is a key factor influencing survival rates. Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy: Studies explore health behaviors linked to vaccination hesitancy, particularly among pregnant women in Ghana. Findings highlight the importance of education and incentives to encourage vaccination uptake. Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections: Research investigates clinical signs of respiratory infections in under-6-month-olds and their impact on healthcare systems. Findings underscore the need for early detection and management strategies. In summary, these publications collectively provide a comprehensive overview of key themes in global health sciences, emphasizing advancements in malaria research, nutrition challenges, immunology, and healthcare disparities.

Research Themes

All Papers

Genome-wide association study indicates two novel resistance loci for severe malaria(2012)
Human candidate gene polymorphisms and risk of severe malaria in children in Kilifi, Kenya: a case-control association study(2018)
von Willebrand factor propeptide in malaria: evidence of acute endothelial cell activation(2006)
Randomized Controlled Trial of RTS,S/AS02D and RTS,S/AS01E Malaria Candidate Vaccines Given According to Different Schedules in Ghanaian Children(2009)
Malaria and anaemia among children in two communities of Kumasi, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey(2006)
Urban malaria and anaemia in children: a cross‐sectional survey in two cities of Ghana(2006)
T Cell Responses to the RTS,S/AS01E and RTS,S/AS02D Malaria Candidate Vaccines Administered According to Different Schedules to Ghanaian Children(2011)
Capillary refill time as an independent prognostic indicator in severe and complicated malaria(2006)
Atovaquone-proguanil for treating uncomplicated malaria(2005)
Point prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection and the comparison of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test and nested PCR for the diagnosis of asymptomatic malaria among children under 5 years in Ghana(2020)
Dehydration and metabolic disturbance in Ghanaianchildren with severe malaria(2003)
Atovaquone-proguanil for treating uncomplicated malaria(2003)
Exploring the relationship between chronic undernutrition and asymptomatic malaria in Ghanaian children(2010)
Social constructs, late recognition and decision making for managing fast breathing in children(2020)
[Prevalence of asthma and respiratory diseases in schools in Bouake (Ivory Coast): preliminary results].(1992)
Haematological indices, nutritional assessment and mortality outcome of children presenting with severe malaria to a tertiary hospital in Ghana(2013)
Sickle Cell Disease: Management options and challenges in developing countries(2013)
SickleInAfrica(2020)
Establishing a Sickle Cell Disease Registry in Africa: Experience From the Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium, Kumasi-Ghana(2022)
The Sickle Cell Disease Ontology: enabling universal sickle cell-based knowledge representation(2019)
Caregiver Perception of Sickle Cell Disease Stigma in Ghana: An Ecological Approach(2020)
Pattern of AST and ALT changes in Relation to Hemolysis in sickle cell Disease(2011)
Utilization of Pneumococcal Vaccine and Penicillin Prophylaxis in Sickle Cell Disease in Three African Countries: Assessment among Healthcare Providers in SickleInAfrica(2021)
Skills Capacity Building For Health Care Services and Research Through the Sickle Pan African Research Consortium(2022)
Hospitalizations among children with sickle cell disease enrolled in the Kumasi Sickle Cell Pan African Consortium (SPARCo) database: A cross sectional study(2023)
Penicillin V prophylaxis uptake among children living with sickle cell disease in a specialist sickle cell clinic in Ghana: A cross‐sectional study(2022)
Hemolysis scavenger proteins and renal function marker in children with sickle cell disease at steady state: A cross‐sectional study(2023)
Sickle Cell Disease in Africa: SickleInAfrica Registry in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania(2025)
Clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease in Africa and its association with foetal haemoglobin parameters(2025)
Organ damage in sickle cell disease study (ORDISS): protocol for a longitudinal cohort study based in Ghana(2017)
The incidence of malaria and the comparison of hematological and biochemical indices of Plasmodium falciparum‐parasitemic and aparasitemic sickle cell disease (SCD) patients(2010)
The Drug Regimen Prescribed for Sickle Cell Patients Attending a Clinic in Kumasi, Ghana, in a Period of One Year(2014)
Some conventional and non-conventional hematological and biochemical markers for characterizing some acute and chronic presentations of sickle cell patients.(2012)
Hospitalizations among children with Sickle Cell Disease enrolled into the Kumasi SPARCo database(2022)
The Diagnostic Implications of Spot Urinalysis of Subjects from a Ghanaian Sickle Cell Clinic(2014)
Adherence to routinely prescribed medications among paediatric sickle cell disease patients in Kumasi, Ghana(2024)
A contemporary evaluation of the frequency & factors associated with overt stroke across the lifespan: A Ghanaian sickle cell disease registry analysis(2024)
A cross-sectional study of the clinical manifestations of Sickles Cell Disease in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania and its association with foetal haemoglobin parameters(2024)
Transition Readiness of Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients to Adult Clinic in a Teaching Hospital, Ghana(2025)
Morbidity, Mortality, and Management of Sickle Cell Disease in Africa Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Hospital-Based Retrospective Cohort Study(2025)
Healthcare providers’ knowledge on sickle cell disease and its management: A pre- and post-training test evaluation outcome(2025)
Smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a prison setting: experience in the penal camp of Bouaké, Ivory Coast.(1997)
Evolution de la serologie selon les formes de tuberculose de 1990 a 1992 au C.A.T. de Treichville, Abidjan(1994)
Red blood cell alloimmunization and minor red blood cell antigen phenotypes in transfused Ghanaian patients with sickle cell disease(2019)
One third of alloantibodies in patients with sickle cell disease transfused with African blood are missed by the standard red blood cell test panel(2021)
Stigma Associated With Sickle Cell Disease in Kumasi, Ghana(2021)
Fourteen‐year experience of a tertiary hospital transfusion committee in <scp>W</scp>est <scp>A</scp>frica(2014)
Iron stores in steady‐state sickle cell disease children accessing care at a sickle cell disease clinic in Kumasi, Ghana: A cross‐sectional study(2022)
Clinical and epidemiological characterisation of Burkitt’s lymphoma: an eight-year case study at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana(2010)
Effects of chemotherapy and disease burden on the nutritional status of patients undergoing treatment for burkitt’s lymphoma(2015)
Decreased Mortality After Establishing a Pediatric Emergency Unit at an Urban Referral Hospital in Ghana(2019)
Clinico-epidemiological profile and predictors of severe illness in young infants (0–59 days) in Ghana(2008)
Microchimerism in Ghanaian children recipients of whole blood transfusion for severe anaemia(2018)
Heart Failure and Suicide: A Complex Polysubstance Overdose(2025)
Prognostic significance of biochemical markers in African Burkitt’s lymphoma(2011)
Clinical and epidemiological characterisation of Burkitt’s lymphoma: an eight-year case study at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana(2010)
Hodgkins lymphoma: Clinicopathologic features in paediatric patients presenting at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital-Kumasi.(2015)
Nutritional Intervention in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy for Cancer(2018)
Correction: Randomized Controlled Trial of RTS,S/AS02<sub>D</sub>and RTS,S/AS01<sub>E</sub>Malaria Candidate Vaccines Given According to Different Schedules in Ghanaian Children(2010)
Educating caregivers to recognise the clinical signs of pneumonia in children younger than 6 months(2020)

Collaboration Network

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About This Profile

This profile is generated from publicly available publication metadata and is intended for research discovery purposes. Themes, summaries, and trajectories are inferred computationally and may not capture the full scope of the lecturer's work. For authoritative information, please refer to the official KNUST profile.