Intrapartum Oral Azithromycin to Prevent Maternal and Newborn Sepsis or Death: A Multinational Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

We tested the hypothesis that a single oral dose of azithromycin (AZI) given during labor in women planning a vaginal delivery would reduce maternal death or perinatal death or sepsis.

Prevention of Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Illness with a Bivalent RSVpreF Vaccine in Pregnancy: Results from a Global Efficacy Trial 

Maternal vaccination is a promising strategy to protect young infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness from birth through the period of highest risk.

From Global to Local: Accelerating Access to Essential Postpartum Haemorrhage Medicines 

Concept Foundation, WACI Heath, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) conducted an advocacy initiative with the purpose of accelerating access and safe use of quality-assured heat-stable carbetocin (HSC) for prevention, and tranexamic acid (TXA) for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in nine sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries (funded by MSD for Mothers). The scope of work covered updating national norms and standards and developing contextualized clinical protocols and job aids for health care providers who will be trained in implementing these interventions. The objectives of the initiative were to raise awareness of the importance of quality maternal health medicines and support the national revision and update of PPH guidelines and essential medicines lists to include HSC and TXA, in line with recent World Health Organization (WHO) PPH recommendations.

Can Oxytocin and Tranexamic Acid Be Mixed for Co-administration by IV Infusion for the Treatment of Postpartum Haemorrhage? 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) "first-response" treatment bundle that comprises the five key elements of uterine massage, uterotonic drugs, tranexamic acid, intravenous fluids, and examination of the genital tract and escalation of care. A key implementation approach that we explored is the co-administration (infusion) of oxytocin and tranexamic acid in intravenous fluids. This approach could simplify administration, which may be particularly important in resource-constrained settings with limited numbers of health care practitioners to attend a PPH emergency. Following an extensive literature review, no reports were identified providing evidence of the compatibility of oxytocin and tranexamic acid when mixed for intravenous administration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the compatibility of oxytocin and tranexamic acid injection products when mixed for the purpose of co-administration by intravenous infusion as part of the treatment bundle for PPH.