Routine

Anaemia
Mahomed K.
Iron supplementation in pregnancy (Cochrane Review).
In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software, Abstract.

A review of 20 trials concluded that routine iron supplementation prevented low haemoglobin at birth or 6 weeks post partum. There was little information about pregnancy outcomes for mother and baby.

Rh Negative
RCOG Green Top Guideline No. 22 Anti-D immunoglobulin for Rh prophylaxis
http://www.rcog.org.uk/guidelines.asp?PageID=106&GuidelineID=4
Evidence based review of monitoring and prophylaxis necessary for the prevention of Rhesus disease.

HIV
Brocklehurst P.
Interventions for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection (Cochrane Review).
In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software, Abstract.

Zidovudine, Caesrean section and Nivirapine have been shown to reduce vertical transmission.

Dunn 1992 Dunn D, Newell M-L, Ades A, Peckham C.
Risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission through breast-feeding.
Lancet 1992; 40:585-8, Abstract.

Observational studies have reported a doubling of mother to child transmission following breast feeding. The WHO has therefore recommended that where safe alternatives to breast feeding exist, they should be implemented.

Syphilis

Walker GJA.
Antibiotics for syphilis diagnosed during pregnancy (Cochrane Review).
In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software, Abstract.

Review concludes that antibiotics are effective at treating syphilis in pregnancy and preventing congenital syphilis although the best treatment regime remains to be proven.

Hepatitis B
Andre F E, Zuckerman A J.
Review: protective efficacy of hepatitis B vaccines in neonates.
Journal of Medical Virology 1994, 44(2), 144-151, Abstract

Haemoglobinopathies
www.wmpi.net/reviews
Reviews: Haemoglobinopathies
Review of sickle cell disease with special emphasis on its management within pregnancy.

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