Dr. Joy Fredericks

Joy Fredericks is a South African researcher focused on neonatal and paediatric health, with a strong grounding in infectious diseases, genomics, and clinical guideline development. Her work is closely linked to major academic hospitals in Johannesburg, where she contributes to advancing evidence-based care in resource-constrained settings.

Her research explores the burden and prevention of invasive group B Streptococcus disease, neonatal sepsis, antimicrobial resistance, and the immunological protection conferred through breast milk. She has also examined maternal and obstetric risk factors associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, highlighting the intersection of infectious risk, HIV exposure, and early neurodevelopment.

In addition, Fredericks has contributed to national clinical guidelines on enuresis and investigated the implementation of clinical exome sequencing in African infant populations. Her scholarship demonstrates strength in case-control methodology, translational genomics, and policy-relevant research aimed at improving child health outcomes in South Africa and similar contexts.