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Open research questions in Maternal and fetal healthcare

169 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,080 Maternal and fetal healthcare papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Current management of PAS is high-risk, with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. There is a need for effective and low-cost surgical adjuncts to reduce the risks associated with PAS management.

    The Efficacy and Surgical Outcomes of Cervical Foley Catheter Tourniquet in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the challenge of understanding the complex mechanisms driving umbilical vessel closure. It highlights the need to develop strategies for prolonging patency in umbilical vessels. The paper also identifies the challenge of translating in vitro findings to an in vivo setting.

    Enabling artificial placenta cannulation: mechanisms of postnatal umbilical vessel closure and strategies to prolong patency · 2026 · DOI

  • The specific mechanisms governing the intra-abdominal segments remain less understood, - Most fundamental research studies were conducted from 1970 to 2010, - The study has a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved

    Enabling artificial placenta cannulation: mechanisms of postnatal umbilical vessel closure and strategies to prolong patency · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to confirm the findings, - Randomized controlled trials should be conducted to compare the efficacy of the cervical Foley catheter tourniquet with other hemostatic techniques, - Studies should investigate the use of the tourniquet in different patient populations, - Research should focus on optimizing the technique and minimizing complications

    The Efficacy and Surgical Outcomes of Cervical Foley Catheter Tourniquet in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • INTRODUCTION: Data with a high level of evidence is lacking on the use of prophylactic uterotonic drug following vaginal delivery to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among women who were considered high-risk for PPH.

    Prophylactic carbetocin versus oxytocin following vaginal delivery among women with high risk for postpartum hemorrhage: A before‐and‐after study · 2026 · DOI

  • However, data on the determinants of puerperal sepsis in the study area are scarce.

    Determinants of puerperal sepsis among postpartum women at public hospital in Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia, 2023: unmatched case–control study · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the comparative effectiveness of these agents when used in conjunction with tranexamic acid remains uncertain.

    Carbetocin versus oxytocin with or without tranexamic acid for preventing postpartum hemorrhage in cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial · 2026 · DOI

  • Larger studies are warranted to validate their clinical utility and integration into diagnostic algorithms.

    Analysis of Maternal Serum PLGF, VEGF, and sFlt-1 in Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Normal Pregnancy · 2026 · DOI

  • Although successfully applied in selected centers, its broader evaluation across diverse healthcare settings is lacking.

    Evaluation of the topographic classification of placenta accreta spectrum: protocol for an ongoing prospective multicenter study · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite its clinical importance, the pathogenesis of PA remains unclear, and there is limited research specifically comparing outcomes in term and preterm pregnancies with PA.

    Preterm placental abruption and its association with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective study · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on elucidating underlying mechanisms and developing effective prevention strategies, while long-term follow-up is essential to assess the health outcomes of affected infants.

    Preterm placental abruption and its association with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective study · 2025 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: Management and outcomes in women with placenta accreta spectrum grade 3 are rarely reported from population-based studies.

    Management and outcomes of women with placenta accreta spectrum grade 3: an INOSS multicountry multiperiod population-based study · 2025 · DOI

  • Most cases were admitted for inpatient monitoring; however, patients were counseled that high-quality data were lacking demonstrating superiority of inpatient admission compared to outpatient management.

    The natural history and management of vasa previa: a single institution’s 15-year experience managing patients remote from labor and delivery · 2025 · DOI

  • Given that pregnant women with gestational hypertension are particularly vulnerable to blood volume reduction, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether epidural labor analgesia impacts these patients within the first 2 h postpartum.

    Epidural labor analgesia is a potential risk factor for increased blood loss within two hours after delivery in women with gestational hypertension: a retrospective cohort study · 2025 · DOI

  • It remains unclear whether tranexamic acid would decrease the incidence of severe PPH among women with placentas that are previa or low-lying.

    Study protocol. TRAAPREVIA—TRAnexamic acid for preventing blood loss following a cesarean delivery in women with a placenta pREVIA or low-lying placenta: a multicenter randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial · 2025 · DOI

  • However, little is known about the adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes of antepartum hemorrhage in the Tigray region.

    Effects of antepartum hemorrhage on maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes in Northern Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study · 2025 · DOI

  • Early application of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may provide essential cardiopulmonary support, but its clinical value warrants further investigation.

    The importance of early veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the management of amniotic fluid embolism complicated by cardiac arrest: a case report and literature review · 2025 · DOI

  • Although various strategies exist for its prevention, the effect of SSC remains unclear.

    Efficacy of skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn during the third stage of labour in reducing postpartum haemorrhage risk · 2025 · DOI

  • However, it remains unclear whether there is an association between OB-CMI and VDCs.

    Association between obstetric comorbidity index and complications of vaginal delivery: a large cross-sectional study from China · 2025 · DOI

  • However, substandard uterotonics pose a significant risk to PPH, and there is limited evidence available to provide quantitative estimates of their economic impact.

    Modeling the economic and health impact of substandard uterotonics in Senegal · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite the high risk of anemia, consensus was lacking on iron supplementation strategies.

    Guidelines on Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders · 2025 · DOI

  • Conclusions and Relevance: This systematic review of PAS guidelines identified significant discrepancies and insufficient evidence in key aspects of care.

    Guidelines on Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders · 2025 · DOI

  • The underlying pathophysiology of FMH remains incompletely understood, though it is primarily attributed to compromise of the placental barrier.

    Case Report: Fetomaternal hemorrhage and its association with pronounced neonatal anemia · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the specific impact of maternal near miss on perinatal outcomes in Uganda remains insufficiently investigated.

    Maternal near miss as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes: findings from a prospective cohort study in southwestern Uganda · 2024 · DOI

  • Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized indications is warranted to confirm the benefits and potential broader applications of this technique.

    Temporary clamping of the uterine arteries versus coventional technique for the prevention of postpartum hemorrage during cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial study · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Maternal and fetal healthcare

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169 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,080 Maternal and fetal healthcare papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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