Mycoplasma Genitalium and Other Reproductive Tract Infections in Pregnancy Associated with an Increased Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes in a High-Burden Setting

Being born too small is a major risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality and childhood stunting. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable and curable infections that can contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes. Mycoplasma genitalium is increasingly recognized as an STI with high prevalence in some populations and has a high propensity to develop antimicrobial resistance. Little data are available on the impact of M. genitalium on adverse birth outcomes, particularly in the context of other STIs. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), we previously demonstrated a high burden of multiple STIs (M. genitalium, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis [BV]). Here, we have investigated the association between M. genitalium and other STIs and birthweight, preterm birth, and perinatal mortality.

The Clinical Presentation and Detection of Tuberculosis during Pregnancy and in the Postpartum Period in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis 

For women infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of developing or worsening TB disease. TB in pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes; however, the detection of TB in pregnancy is challenging. We aimed to identify and summarise the findings of studies regarding the clinical presentation and diagnosis of TB during pregnancy and the postpartum period (within six months of birth) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Sero-prevalence and Risk Factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Women and Children in a Rural District of Bangladesh: A Cohort Study 

Bangladesh reported its first COVID-19 case on March 8, 2020. Despite lockdowns and promotion of behavioral interventions, as of December 31, 2021, Bangladesh had reported 1.5 million confirmed cases and 27,904 COVID-19-related deaths. To understand the course of the pandemic and identify risk factors for SARs-Cov-2 infection, we conducted a cohort study from November 2020 to December 2021 in rural Bangladesh.

Does the Continuous Presence of Mothers in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit to Provide Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care Increase Neonatal Sepsis? 

A multi-country randomized controlled trial conducted in five countries (India, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Malawi), coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) (iKMC study), from November 2017 to January 2020 showed a 25% reduction in mortality by immediate kangaroo mother care (KMC) in neonates with birthweight 1 to 1.8 kg. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) (May 2021). To implement the immediate KMC intervention, mother and baby needed to be together continuously, which led to the concept of the "Mother–Newborn Care Unit (MNCU)." Health care providers and administrators were concerned about the potential increase in infections due to the presence of mothers/surrogates in the MNCU. We present a post hoc analysis of the iKMC study to see the effect of immediate KMC on neonatal sepsis.