Maternal and Newborn Health Research Roundup – June 2025

1.

Unlocking the path to quality maternity care: a qualitative study on work environment dynamics, providers’ responsiveness, and professionalism in central region, Malawi 

The qualitative study conducted in Malawi explores how organizational culture, management styles, and resource availability influence responsiveness and professionalism in maternity care settings. Researchers conducted interviews, focus groups, and observations with maternity care providers, revealing that limited physical space, resource shortages, and heavy workloads constrained providers’ ability to deliver responsive care. Rigid managerial structures and lack of professional recognition further impacted morale and initiative. Despite these challenges, providers emphasized the importance of teamwork and a positive work environment in fostering professionalism and responsiveness. The study concludes that targeted interventions to strengthen resource allocation, supportive leadership, and provider well-being are essential to enhance maternal healthcare delivery. (April 2025)

2.

Global and regional causes of maternal deaths 2009–20: a WHO systematic analysis 

A recent study investigates the impact of maternal mortality on global health, highlighting significant disparities between high-income and low-income countries. The research found that hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia, are the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide. Additionally, the study emphasizes the role of underlying health conditions, including infectious and chronic diseases, in exacerbating maternal mortality rates. The findings underscore the urgent need for equitable access to high-quality healthcare and targeted interventions to address the primary causes of maternal deaths.

3.

Malnutrition in infants aged under 6 months: prevalence and anthropometric assessment – analysis of 56 low- and middle-income country DHS datasets  

A new global analysis reveals that malnutrition among infants under six months old is a far more widespread and urgent issue than previously recognized. Drawing on data from 56 low- and middle-income countries, the study estimates that 17.4% of infants are underweight, 15.5% are wasted, 19.9% are stunted, and 15% are born with low birth weight—translating to tens of millions of affected infants worldwide. The research also found that weight-based indicators were more reliable than length-based ones, and that underweight status had stronger associations with maternal, infant, and household factors. The findings underscore the need for context-specific strategies and improved data quality to support the rollout of new WHO guidelines and better target interventions for this vulnerable age group. (May 2025)

4.

All-cause mortality and infection-related outcomes of hospital-initiated kangaroo care versus conventional neonatal care for low-birthweight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis  

A new global meta-analysis has confirmed that hospital-initiated kangaroo care significantly reduces mortality and infection risks in low-birthweight infants, reinforcing its value as a standard neonatal intervention. Drawing on data from 29 randomized controlled trials involving over 17,500 infants, the study found that kangaroo care lowered all-cause mortality by 23%, sepsis by 45%, and invasive infections by 51%, with additional benefits including reduced hypothermia and apnoea. The protective effects were especially pronounced in resource-limited settings, and the findings challenge concerns that kangaroo care might increase infection risk. The study calls for kangaroo care to be fully integrated into infection prevention and control practices globally, highlighting its dual role in improving survival and reducing hospital-acquired infections. (July 2025)

5.

Uterotonic agents for preventing postpartum haemorrhage: a network meta‐analysis 

A major Cochrane review published in April 2025 has reaffirmed the effectiveness of uterotonic agents in preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The network meta-analysis, which included 196 trials involving over 135,000 women, found that oxytocin remains the most effective and safest first-line option for PPH prevention. However, heat-stable carbetocin and ergometrine-oxytocin combinations also showed strong efficacy, particularly in settings where cold-chain storage is limited. The study emphasizes the importance of tailoring uterotonic use to local health system capacities and reinforces WHO recommendations for oxytocin as the primary agent, while supporting alternatives in resource-constrained environments. (April 2025)