BackgroundAnaemia is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The pooled prevalence of anaemia in the South African (SA) pregnant population was ascertained by systematically reviewing available literature. Severity, risk factors (HIV, tuberculosis, race, province, year of study), maternal morbidity and mortality (hypertensive disorders of pregnancy), birth outcomes (including low birth weight) and supplementation during pregnancy were also described.MethodsEligible studies reported on haemoglobin concentration or prevalence of anaemia in a SA pregnant population and were available in full text. Case-control and estimation studies were excluded with no restriction on the date of publication. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCO, Ovid maternity and infant care databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and SCOPUS were searched, using the keywords ‘anaemia’, ’haemoglobin’, ‘pregnancy’, ‘South Africa’. Risk of bias was conducted using the Hoy tool and the Doi plot and LFK ratio. Overall study quality was assessed using the GRADE tool. Due to heterogeneity amongst studies subgroup analyses were performed (random effects and quality effects model) using MetaXL addon tool for Microsoft Excel.ResultsThe initial search yielded 7010 articles and 26 were selected for inclusion. Twenty studies were cross-sectional, three were longitudinal and one a randomised control trial. Studies ranged in publication year from 1969 to 2020. The pooled prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women in SA was determined to be 31% (95% CI, 23–40%). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and low birth weight were associated with anaemia. While iron deficiency was reported as the main cause, other risk factors included HIV and other infections.DiscussionLimitationsThere was limited data reporting on prevalence of anaemia and direct maternal and foetal outcomes. Heterogeneity amongst studies was not explained by subgroup analysis. Majority of cross-sectional study designs reduced the ability to infer causality.InterpretationWhile the prevalence of anaemia remains high and of concern, risk factors are varied. Iron deficiency is still common but the presence of comorbidities also contributes to anaemia and should not be ignored. More longitudinal research into associations between anaemia and birth outcomes is needed due to a lack of available evidence.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO 2020: CRD42020157191.

Background A significant cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy is maternal anaemia. The causes of anaemia and the sequelae are varied, and the prevention and management are public health challenges, especially in resource-limited settings and certain geographic locations. South Africa is plagued by a quadruple burden of disease, with high maternal mortality rates affected by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, HIV, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases. This is most prevalent in people of lower socio-economic status. Poor nutrition, chronic infections, lack of access to health care facilities and poor compliance with micronutrient supplementation all contribute to maternal anaemia. The aim of this study is to systematically map the literature to ascertain the pooled prevalence and associated causes of anaemia in the South African pregnant population, which will enable health care workers and other key stakeholders to more pertinently address Sustainable Development Goal 3 focussing on good health and reducing maternal mortality. Methods PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCO, Ovid maternity and infant care databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and SCOPUS will be searched using the keywords ‘anaemia’, ‘haemoglobin’, ‘pregnancy’, and ‘South Africa’ to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore, describe and map literature on the distribution and burden of anaemia in pregnant women in South Africa. The reference list of articles selected for review will be scanned for other articles of interest to our study question. Studies published in any language will be included in this review. As there may be differences in sampled populations in South Africa based on geography and sociodemographic factors, a weighted inverse-variance meta-analysis using a random-effects model will be carried out to generate a pooled prevalence estimate. A Funnel plot and Egger’s regression test will be conducted to assess publication bias. Heterogeneity among studies will be checked using I2 to determine dispersion and meta-regression analysis will be performed to investigate the source of heterogeneity. The articles obtained by these searches will be analysed for causative factors, severity and outcomes by a parallel and independent review team, using suitable eligibility criteria. Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal will be conducted independently by two authors. Disagreement will be resolved by independent assessment by a third reviewer. Sub group analysis by region, stage of pregnancy, socio-economic status, severity and cause of anaemia will be conducted if sufficient data is available. Data will be analysed using statistical software and presented in evidence tables and in meta-analytic forest plots. Discussion This protocol is developed to systematically review the literature on the prevalence and severity of anaemia, risk factors and outcomes in pregnant women in South Africa. Correlation of factors contributing to the development of anaemia and other disorders during pregnancy will facilitate exploration of appropriate medical and behavioural change interventions implemented within other countries or regions that mitigate risk. This study will assist local health systems to inform public health policies and practises for more favourable maternal and fetal outcomes. Trial registration This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020157191)

Introduction: Aspirin is widely used to prevent pregnancy related vascular disorders such as preeclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction and maternal disorders. However, the indications for the use of aspirin during pregnancy is currently controversial because the dosage of aspirin used and the sample sizes in various studies differ considerably. Furthermore, women of African ancestry are more likely to have higher rates of PE and more severe cases than those of their Caucasian counterparts. Yet, there are very few studies in this population group. Therefore, the aim of this review will be to determine the effect of low-dose aspirin (LDA) for prevention of PE in women of African ancestry. Methods and Analysis: This is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies on the effect of LDA for prevention of PE. Relevant information will be accessed from the following databases; PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, Google, EBSCO Host, and the Web of Science. The studies will be mapped in 2 stages: stage 1 will map studies descriptively by focus and method; stage 2 will involve additional inclusion criteria, quality assessment and data extraction undertaken by 2 reviewers in parallel. Evidence will be synthesized using relevant systematic research tools. Meta-analysis and subgroup analysis will be conducted using RevMan whilst Stata 13 will be used for meta-regressions. We will follow recommendations described in the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement and the Cochrane Handbook for Intervention Reviews. Discussion: The use of LDA as a prophylactic treatment has been considered for the prevention of PE. However, studies evaluating the use of LDA in women of African ancestry are few. Therefore, with the increase in the prevalence of PE in the African population, it is critical to further investigate the use of LDA in pregnant women of African ancestry. Ethics and dissemination: The review and meta-analysis will not require ethical approval and the findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local and international conferences. The findings of this review will inform all stakeholders on current and future guidelines on the use of aspirin in pregnancy, especially in populations of African ancestry. Systematic review registration: International prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSERO) number: (CRD42020213213).

Background: Schistosomiasis, a chronic parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma species, has a negative impact on pregnancy outcomes and child development. The disease affects over 230 million people worldwide, and in South Africa an estimated 5.2 million people are thought to be infected. However, there is scant data on the impact of schistosomiasis in pregnancy in South Africa and globally. The aim of this review was to analyse the current knowledge of schistosomiasis in pregnancy, particularly in South Africa, focusing on maternal and neonatal complications linked directly to the disease or its treatment.Methods: An electronic search of online databases was used to identify and collect relevant research articles related to schistosomiasis in pregnancy, with a focus on South Africa.Results: Schistosomiasis can cause severe organ damage when left untreated and influences maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Although South Africa’s first helminth control programme was established in 1997, there is currently no ongoing treatment strategy programme, and little information is available on prevalence rates in pregnant women for the last 20 years. There is also an absence of data from well-controlled clinical trials that focus on the efficacy and safety of treatment during pregnancy, which has led to this vulnerable group being neglected.Conclusion: This review highlights the dearth of information on the impact of schistosomiasis in pregnant women in South Africa and the need for high-quality evidence-based studies.

35 Casasnovas JM, Pieroni C, Springer TA. Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 binding residues in intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM-2) and the integrin binding surface in the ICAM subfamily. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1999;96:3017-22. 36 Thompson PW, Randi AM, Ridley AJ. Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1, but not ICAM-2, activates RhoA and stimulates c-fos and rhoA transcription in endothelial cells.