Article Text
Abstract
Background Technological advances and high throughput biological assays can facilitate discovery science in biobanks from population cohorts, including pregnant women. Biological pathways associated with health outcomes differ depending on geography, and high-income country data may not generalise to low-resource settings. We conducted a systematic review to identify prospective pregnancy cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that include biobanked samples with potential to enhance discovery science opportunity.
Methods Inclusion criteria were prospective data collection during pregnancy, with associated biobanking in SSA. Data sources included: scientific databases (with comprehensive search terms), grey literature, hand searching applicable reference lists and expert input. Results were screened in a three-stage process based on title, abstract and full text by two independent reviewers. The review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019147483).
Results Fourteen SSA studies met the inclusion criteria from database searches (n=8), reference list searches (n=2) and expert input (n=4). Three studies have ongoing data collection. The most represented countries were South Africa and Mozambique (Southern Africa) (n=3), Benin (Western Africa) (n=4) and Tanzania (Eastern Africa) (n=4); including an estimated 31 763 women. Samples commonly collected were blood, cord blood and placenta. Seven studies collected neonatal samples. Common clinical outcomes included maternal and perinatal mortality, malaria and preterm birth.
Conclusions Increasingly numerous pregnancy cohorts in SSA that include biobanking are generating a uniquely valuable resource for collaborative discovery science, and improved understanding of the high regional risks of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Future studies should align protocols and consider their added value and distinct contributions.
- systematic review
- cohort study
- obstetrics
- maternal health
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Footnotes
PvD and LAM are joint senior authors.
Handling editor Seye Abimbola
Collaborators The PRECISE Network: Umberto D’Alessandro; Anna Roca; Hawanatu Jah; Ofordile Oguchukwu; Andrew Prentice; Melisa Martinez-Alvarez; Brahima Diallo; Adbul Sesey; Kodou Lette; Alpha Bah; Chilel Sanyang; Marleen Temmerman; Angela Koech Etyang; Peris Musitia; Mary Amondi; David Chege; Patricia Okiro; Geoffrey Omuse; Sikolia Wanyonyi; Esperança Sevene; Paulo Chin; Corssino Tchavana; Salésio Macuácua; Anifa Vála; Helena Boene; Lazaro Quimice; Sonia Maculuve; Eusebio Macete; Inacio Mandomando; Carla Carillho; Peter von Dadelszen; Laura A Magee; Meriel Flint-O’Kane; Rachel Craik; Amber Strang; Marina Daniele; Donna Russell; Tatenda Makanga; Liberty Makacha; Yolisa Dube; Newton Nyapwere; Lucilla Poston; Jane Sandall; Rachel Tribe; Andrew Shennan; Sophie Moore; Tatiana Salisbury; Ben Barratt; Lucy Chappell; Sean Beevers; Kate Bramham; Aris Papageorgiou; Alison Noble; Hannah Blencowe; Veronique Filippi; Joy Lawn; Matt Silver; Matthew Chico; Judith Cartwright; Guy Whitley; Sanjeev Krishna; Marianne Vidler; Jing (Larry) Li; Jeffrey Bone; Mai-Lei (Maggie) Woo Kinshella; Beth A Payne; Domena Tu; Warancha Tumtaweetikul; William Stones; Marie-Laure Volvert.
Contributors JB, KP, MV, LM and PvD conceptualised the review. JB and KP conducted the review and developed the search strategy with help from MLWK. JB conducted the statistical analyses and wrote the first draft of the manuscript with KP. All authors reviewed the manuscript drafts, contributed to, and approved, the final manuscript.
Funding The PRECISE Network receives funding support from the UK Research and Innovation Grand Challenges Research Fund [PRECISE: MR/P027938/1], the NIHR-Wellcome Partnership for Global Health Research Collaborative Award Scheme [PRECISE-DYAD: 217123/Z/19/Z] and the Medical Research Council Global Maternal and Neonatal Health Scheme [PRECISE-SPTB: MR/T03890X/1].
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement Data are available upon request. Upon publication of the manuscript, data relevant to the review and its included analyses will be available upon request (via email) from the corresponding author, JB, at: jeffrey.bone@cw.bc.ca.
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