Skip to main content

Table 1 List of interventions

From: Global report on preterm birth and stillbirth (3 of 7): evidence for effectiveness of interventions

Selected

Interventions

Selected

Interventions

Group 1:

Interventions given before pregnancy

Group 5:

Intrapartum interventions to prevent stillbirth

X

Birth spacing

X

Birth preparedness

X

Periconceptional folate

X

Use of partogram

X

Indoor air pollution control

X

Fetal movement monitoring

 

Prevention of female genital mutilation

X

Emergency obstetric care

  

X

Cesarean section for breech presentation

Group 2:

Interventions given during pregnancy

X

Elective induction of labor for post-term delivery

X

Smoking cessation programs

X

Elective induction of term PROM

X

Balanced protein energy supplementation

X

Home delivery vs. facility delivery

X

Multiple micronutrient supplementation

 

Instrumental deliveries (forceps versus vacuum)

X

Iron and folate supplementation

 

Amnioinfusion

X

Zinc supplementation

 

Cervical ripening and induction of labor with diff erent

X

Magnesium sulfate supplementation

 

prostaglandins

X

Calcium supplementation

 

COX inhibitors for preterm labor

X

Supplementation with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

 

Magnesium sulphate for treatment of preeclampsia/eclampsia or

X

Cardiotocographic monitoring

 

preterm labor

X

Doppler and late ultrasound monitoring

 

Maternal hyperoxygenation

 

Anti-platelet agents in pregnancy, including aspirin

  
 

Anti-malarials

Group 6:

Antepartum and intrapartum interventions to improve preterm survival

 

Anti-oxidants

X

Prophylactic corticosteroid therapy in preterm labor

 

Vitamin A/Beta-Carotene supplementation

X

Antibiotics for PROM/PPROM

  

X

Antibiotics for preterm labor with intact membranes

Group 3:

Interventions for pregnancy infections

X

Delayed cord clamping

X

Screening and treatment of syphilis

 

Vitamin A to the mother

X

Intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) for malaria

  

X

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs)

Group 7:

Postnatal interventions to improve preterm survival

X

Screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria

X

Neonatal resuscitation

X

Screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis

X

Vitamin A supplementation

X

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

X

Vitamin K supplementation

X

Anti-helminthic treatment

X

Zinc supplementation

X

Screening and treatment of periodontal disease

X

Selenium supplementation

  

X

Chlorhexidine treatment on the cord

Group 4:

Interventions for pregnancies with high-risks of PTB or SB

X

Case management of neonatal sepsis and pneumonia

X

Progesterone

X

Kangaroo mother care (KMC)

X

Cervical cerclage

X

Early breastfeeding

X

Multivitamins for HIV+ women

X

Thermal care

 

Amniotic fluid volume assessment

X

Application of continued distending pressure or CPAP to the

 

Antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring with cardiotocography

 

lungs for RDS

 

Cervical pessaries to prevent preterm birth

X

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)

 

Fetal biophysical test scoring

X

Surfactant therapy for RDS

 

Home versus hospital monitoring for high-risk pregnancies

 

Emollient therapy

 

In-hospital fetal surveillance unit

 

Hand washing

 

Intrapartum cardiotocography and pulse oximetry

 

Prophylaxis of eye infection

 

Management of gestational diabetes mellitus

 

Use of Appropriate Low-cost Technology (incubators, techniques

 

Non stress testing or vibroacoustic stimulation

 

for minimally invasive intravenous access, protection against the

 

Use of the partograph

 

excessive use of oxygen)

 

Fetal movement monitoring

  
 

Heparin in pregnancy

  
 

Management of intrahepatic cholestasis

  
 

Pelvimetry

  
 

Plasma exchange

  
 

Pregnancy risk screening

  
 

Ultrasound scanning

  
  1. X indicates interventions described in the text. Interventions without the X were reviewed but not included due to one or more of the following reasons: (a) the available evidence was very limited; (b) there was no evidence of an impact; (c) the intervention requires high technology; (d) the intervention is seldom used; (e) the intervention was applicable to a small subgroup of pregnant women.