Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit develops students' understanding of fetal and neonatal infections, underlying risk factors, prevention, diagnostic investigations, management and long-term implications.
Specifically, the following topics are addressed: (1) fetal period—the effects of chorioamnionitis and funisitis, intrauterine transmission of infection (TORCH group), hepatitis B, C and HIV transmission and related neonatal management; (2) neonatal infections—early and late onset sepsis, risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic and adjunct laboratory investigations and management [coagulase-negative staphylococcus, Candida, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other viral infections]; (3) nosocomial infections (including colonisation/infection with multi-resistant organisms): incidence, appropriate monitoring, risk factors, preventive interventions (hand hygiene, catheter management, responsible antibiotic use, etc.); and (4) neonatal immunology—the role of innate and adaptive defences relevant to neonatal pathogens. Novel strategies for decreasing the rate of infections as well as treatments aimed at modifying the inflammatory response are discussed.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 Online Online flexible - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) thoroughly understand the role of infection in neonatal mortality and morbidity, clinical features and management of early and late onset infection; (2) demonstrate knowledge of the short and long-term sequelae of intrauterine and perinatal infections and relevant investigations; (3) demonstrate knowledge of host immune factors contributing to the risk of infection in the fetal and neonatal periods; (4) plan the management of early and late onset sepsis including investigations, antibiotic choice, duration and the correlation of both clinical and laboratory evidence of response; (5) analyse the risks of healthcare associated infection and the steps required to minimise these; and (6) advise strategies for limiting the spread of multi-resistant organisms in a nursery and counsel parents as to their baby's risk of colonisation and infection.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a two-hour multiple choice question examination at the end of the semester and (2) audit activity or research study in neonatal infection/neonatal immunology including literature review and oral presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
Approved quota: 6—places will go preferentially to Senior Registrars and Fellows based at King Edward Memorial Hospital. If there are more than six interested students, places are allocated based on proximity to completion of their advanced training program (places going preferentially to those closest to completion).
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.