BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Reliable data from South Africa emanating from WHO recommendations for the Safe Motherhood programme underscores HIV/AIDS as the most common cause of maternal deaths. The strengthening of HIV services for pregnant women especially in countries with a high burden of HIV infection will reduce HIV-related and un-related maternal mortality rates. High-quality and complete data on maternal deaths is a critical foundation for reliably monitoring temporal trends in maternal deaths, and causes thereof, but needs substantial strengthening in many resource-constrained settings. ⋯ A review of published data on maternal deaths and its association with HIV shows that reliable data come from the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths from South Africa, population-based surveys in sentinel populations, and facility-based data. Despite an increase in knowledge of the HIV status of pregnant women and the initiation of antiretroviral treatment, reversals in trends towards increased maternal deaths are not being observed. The strengthening of HIV services provides an opportunity to alter HIV epidemic trajectories and reduce maternal deaths.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Critical illness with AH1N1v influenza in pregnancy: a comparison of two population-based cohorts.
To compare admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) with confirmed AH1N1v influenza in pregnancy in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. ⋯ The difference in admission risk may reflect a second phase effect from successful clinical and public health interventions, as well as differences in population characteristics between the countries. The overall severity of the AH1N1v influenza infection in pregnancy is evident, and emphasises the importance of an ongoing immunisation programme in pregnant women in both northern and southern hemispheres.
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In Bangladesh, the majority of women give birth at home. There is anecdotal evidence that unqualified allopathic practitioners (UAPs) administer oxytocin at home births to augment labour pain. The objective is to explore the use of oxytocin to augment labour pain during home births in an urban slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. ⋯ About one-third of women used oxytocin to augment labour pain. This practice has implications for health education as well as future research to assess the impact on adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Cardiac arrest in pregnancy: increasing use of perimortem caesarean section due to emergency skills training?