Maitland worked as a clinician scientist co-managing a project of field-based longitudinal epidemiology studies on the Pacific islands of
Vanuatu, working with Professor Sir
David Weatherall. The work investigated malaria parasite species interactions and host protection by alpha thalassaemia.[5] Since 2000, Maitland has been based full-time in East Africa, leading a research group studying the impact of effective emergency care on childhood mortality.
Maitland was the principal investigator on the FEAST trial.[6] The trial demonstrated that fluid boluses resulted in increased mortality in African children with severe febrile illness and excess mortality was largely a result of cardio-vascular collapse. The paper reporting the FEAST trial won the 2012 BMJ Research Paper of the Year.[7] Her group completed the multicentre TRACT trial which tested two transfusion[8][9] and treatment strategies[10] in nearly 4000 children in Africa that aimed to reduce deaths and illness those hospitalised with severe anaemia, providing randomised evidence for transfusion management. Other aspects of her research portfolio include clinical studies and trials in severe malaria,[11] severe malnutrition and oxygen and respiratory support trial in children hospitalised with severe pneumonia.[12]
Williams, T. N.; Maitland, K.; Bennett, S.; Ganczakowski, M.; Peto, T. E. A.; Newbold, C. I.; Bowden, D. K.; Weatherall, D. J.; Clegg, J. B. (October 1996). "High incidence of malaria in α-thalassaemic children". Nature. 383 (6600): 522–525.
Bibcode:
1996Natur.383..522W.
doi:
10.1038/383522a0.
PMID8849722.
S2CID4369124.
Maitland, Kathryn; Kiguli, Sarah; Opoka, Robert O.; Engoru, Charles; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Akech, Samuel O.; Nyeko, Richard; Mtove, George; Reyburn, Hugh; Lang, Trudie; Brent, Bernadette; Evans, Jennifer A.; Tibenderana, James K.; Crawley, Jane; Russell, Elizabeth C.; Levin, Michael; Babiker, Abdel G.; Gibb, Diana M. (30 June 2011). "Mortality after Fluid Bolus in African Children with Severe Infection". New England Journal of Medicine. 364 (26): 2483–2495.
doi:
10.1056/NEJMoa1101549.
hdl:10044/1/20023.
PMID21615299.
^Williams, T. N.; Maitland, K.; Bennett, S.; Ganczakowski, M.; Peto, T. E. A.; Newbold, C. I.; Bowden, D. K.; Weatherall, D. J.; Clegg, J. B. (October 1996). "High incidence of malaria in α-thalassaemic children". Nature. 383 (6600): 522–525.
Bibcode:
1996Natur.383..522W.
doi:
10.1038/383522a0.
PMID8849722.
S2CID4369124.
^Coombes, R. (29 May 2012). "Safer sport, shock treatment, stroke care, and safety triumph at the BMJ Group awards". BMJ. 344 (may29 1): e3741.
doi:
10.1136/bmj.e3741.
PMID22645213.
S2CID33535451.
^Maitland, Kathryn; Kiguli, Sarah; Opoka, Robert O.; Engoru, Charles; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Akech, Samuel O.; Nyeko, Richard; Mtove, George; Reyburn, Hugh; Lang, Trudie; Brent, Bernadette; Evans, Jennifer A.; Tibenderana, James K.; Crawley, Jane; Russell, Elizabeth C.; Levin, Michael; Babiker, Abdel G.; Gibb, Diana M. (30 June 2011). "Mortality after Fluid Bolus in African Children with Severe Infection". New England Journal of Medicine. 364 (26): 2483–2495.
doi:
10.1056/NEJMoa1101549.
hdl:10044/1/20023.
PMID21615299.
^Maitland, Kathryn; Kiguli, Sarah; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Engoru, Charles; Mallewa, Macpherson; Saramago Goncalves, Pedro; Opoka, Robert O.; Mpoya, Ayub; Alaroker, Florence; Nteziyaremye, Julius; Chagaluka, George; Kennedy, Neil; Nabawanuka, Eva; Nakuya, Margaret; Namayanja, Cate; Uyoga, Sophie; Kyeyune Byabazaire, Dorothy; M’baya, Bridon; Wabwire, Benjamin; Frost, Gary; Bates, Imelda; Evans, Jennifer A.; Williams, Thomas N.; George, Elizabeth C.; Gibb, Diana M.; Walker, A. Sarah (1 August 2019).
"Immediate Transfusion in African Children with Uncomplicated Severe Anemia". New England Journal of Medicine. 381 (5): 407–419.
doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1900105.
PMC7611152.
PMID31365799.