Eliminating gender bias in biomedical research requires fair inclusion of pregnant women and gender diverse people.

Systematic under-representation of pregnant women and gender diverse pregnant people in clinical research has prevented them from benefitting fairly from biomedical advances. The resulting lack of pharmacological safety and efficacy data leads to medicine discontinuation, sub-optimal dosing, and reliance on repurposed therapies. We identify four roadblocks to fair inclusion.

Factors influencing the participation of pregnant and lactating women in clinical trials: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Background: Poor representation of pregnant and lactating women and people in clinical trials has marginalised their health concerns and denied the maternal-fetal/infant dyad benefits of innovation in therapeutic research and development. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesised factors affecting the participation of pregnant and lactating women in clinical trials, across all levels of the research ecosystem.

Methods And Findings: We searched 8 databases from inception to 14 February 2024 to identify qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies that described factors affecting participation of pregnant and lactating women in vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials in any setting.

Limiting adverse birth outcomes in resource-limited settings (LABOR): protocol of a prospective intrapartum cohort study.

Each year, nearly 300,000 women and 5 million fetuses or neonates die during childbirth or shortly thereafter, a burden concentrated disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries. Identifying women and their fetuses at risk for intrapartum-related morbidity and death could facilitate early intervention. The Limiting Adverse Birth Outcomes in Resource-Limited Settings (LABOR) Study is a multi-country, prospective, observational cohort designed to exhaustively document the course and outcomes of labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period in settings where adverse outcomes are frequent.

Effect of heat stable carbetocin vs oxytocin for preventing postpartum haemorrhage on post delivery hemoglobin-a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the effect of heat-stable carbetocin 100 μg IM versus oxytocin 10 IU IM on post-delivery hemoglobin level.

Setting: Hospital based study in Southern India.

Population: Women delivering vaginally who were enrolled in the WHO CHAMPION trial in a single facility in India.

Antenatal Dexamethasone for Early Preterm Birth in Low-Resource Countries.

Background: The safety and efficacy of antenatal glucocorticoids in women in low-resource countries who are at risk for preterm birth are uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a multicountry, randomized trial involving pregnant women between 26 weeks 0 days and 33 weeks 6 days of gestation who were at risk for preterm birth. The participants were assigned to intramuscular dexamethasone or identical placebo.

Heat-Stable Carbetocin versus Oxytocin to Prevent Hemorrhage after Vaginal Birth.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal death. Oxytocin is the standard therapy for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, but it requires cold storage, which is not available in many countries. In a large trial, we compared a novel formulation of heat-stable carbetocin with oxytocin.

Current research on carbetocin and implications for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low-income countries and is a significant contributor to severe maternal morbidity and long-term disability. Carbetocin may be an underused uterotonic for prevention of PPH. A number of studies are being conducted that may challenge the place of oxytocin as the first choice of uterotonics for prevention of PPH.

Role of laparoscopy in the management of neonatal ovarian cysts.

Aim: Ovarian cysts in the newborn period are simple cysts which resolve on their own. Complications like torsion leading to loss of ovarian units are well documented. Surgical treatment should always be performed in a way to protect the ovaries and to ensure future fertility.