Guidelines & resources
Find your next reference.
Browse the existing SOOMSA collection by clinical topic.
Featured reading
Four good places to start.
South African & African evidence
Locally relevant studies, African clinical trials, and research that speaks to our healthcare setting.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy deaths: a four-year review
A Johannesburg audit of maternal deaths that identifies opportunities to improve recognition, referral, and treatment of hypertensive disorders.
Cardiac disease in pregnancy: experience from the Eastern Cape
Among 182 affected pregnancies, rheumatic heart disease and cardiomyopathy featured prominently, reinforcing the need for earlier diagnosis and coordinated cardiac care.
Comorbidities in pregnant South African women living with HIV and adverse birth outcomes
Prospective South African evidence on how HIV intersects with non-communicable conditions and pregnancy outcomes.
Maternal HIV infection and perinatal outcomes: a South African retrospective study
KwaZulu-Natal data examining maternal HIV, pregnancy outcomes, and service disruption during the COVID-19 period.
Time to tuberculosis treatment initiation in pregnant women in Cape Town
A timely analysis of delays between TB diagnosis and treatment, with clear relevance for maternity services in high-burden settings.
Tuberculosis and pregnancy outcomes in Cape Town: a retrospective cohort
Linked programme data examining the relationship between maternal tuberculosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Obesity, HIV, and anaemia: the triple burden in urban South African pregnancies
A Soweto cohort that captures the overlapping nutritional, metabolic, and infectious conditions encountered in everyday practice.
Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and glycated albumin for gestational diabetes diagnosis
A Johannesburg study comparing practical alternatives to the OGTT in 477 women at high risk of gestational diabetes.
Depressive symptoms among pregnant women attending a Johannesburg hospital
A concerning local estimate of antenatal depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of detection and referral.
Interventions for cardiometabolic disease in pregnancy in LMICs
Of 135 studies, only ten came from sub-Saharan Africa. A useful reminder of the need for locally tested care models.
Intravenous versus oral iron for anaemia in pregnancy: the Nigerian IVON trial
A major African trial comparing ferric carboxymaltose with oral ferrous sulphate, with direct relevance to treatment policy.
Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral iron in Malawi
A landmark trial examining second-trimester anaemia treatment in an African primary-care setting.
Hypertension & cardiovascular care
Clinical research and guidance on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in pregnancy.
2025 ESC Guidelines for cardiovascular disease and pregnancy
A major updated reference on cardiac risk, multidisciplinary Pregnancy Heart Teams, and disease-specific management.
162 mg versus 81 mg aspirin for pre-eclampsia prevention
This head-to-head trial found no statistically significant difference in its primary outcome; the higher-dose group had a placental abruption signal (8 versus 0). Full text may require access.
Higher-dose versus lower-dose aspirin for pre-eclampsia: 2026 meta-analysis
Six head-to-head trials suggested a possible benefit of higher dosing, but the result was statistically uncertain and evidence certainty was low.
CHAP: treatment of mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy
Practice-changing evidence supporting treatment of mild chronic hypertension to a target below 140/90 mmHg.
Should blood pressure below 130/80 be the target in pregnancy with diabetes?
A secondary CHAP analysis associated lower achieved blood pressure with better outcomes. It does not establish a randomised treatment target.
Current concepts in hypertension management: review of international pregnancy guidelines
Shows where major guidelines converge and differ on diagnosis, treatment thresholds, and blood pressure targets.
Antihypertensive medications in pregnancy and lactation: a practical approach
A useful prescribing overview. Note that it includes oral labetalol, which is not available in South Africa; apply local formularies.
Haematology & thrombosis
Iron deficiency, anaemia treatment, and pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism.
ASH 2026 guidelines for the diagnosis of iron deficiency
New ferritin thresholds for pregnancy and other populations, with separate guidance for inflammation and transferrin saturation.
REPEAT: long-term recurrence after a first pregnancy-associated VTE
Long-term recurrence data to support counselling beyond the index pregnancy and postpartum period.
Intravenous versus oral iron for iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy
A systematic evaluation of maternal and neonatal outcomes, adverse effects, and evidence limitations for intravenous iron.
Diabetes & metabolic health
Diabetes, weight management, and metabolic care before and during pregnancy.
Preexisting diabetes and pregnancy: Endocrine Society/ESE guideline
Comprehensive recommendations on preconception counselling, glycaemic management, medications, and diabetes technology.
Pregnancy outcomes after GLP-1 receptor agonist discontinuation
Examines weight gain and pregnancy outcomes after preconception or early-pregnancy discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Other medical conditions
Medical conditions, medicines, and new evidence relevant to obstetric physicians.
VOMIT trial: mirtazapine or ondansetron for hyperemesis gravidarum
An intriguing small placebo-controlled trial supporting further consideration of mirtazapine for refractory hyperemesis.
Global consensus statement: pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease
Practical recommendations on maintaining IBD control, medication compatibility, and multidisciplinary management.
EULAR recommendations: antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation
Updated recommendations on conventional and biological antirheumatic drugs before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.
SSRIs during pregnancy and maternal depression: a nationwide birth cohort
Distinguishes associations with antidepressant exposure from the clinical risks associated with maternal depression itself.
Asthma management in pregnancy and lactation: evidence and best practice
Contemporary guidance on maintaining asthma control while making evidence-based treatment decisions in pregnancy.
Prenatal cfDNA sequencing and incidental detection of maternal cancer
Unusual cfDNA patterns identified occult cancer in a highly selected cohort; an important but uncommon diagnostic challenge.
SOOMSA curates and shares articles, research, and clinical guidelines for educational purposes and to encourage professional discussion in Obstetric Medicine. Inclusion in this library does not constitute endorsement of the content, opinions, findings, or recommendations expressed, which remain those of the original authors and publishers and do not necessarily reflect the views of SOOMSA, its members, or Executive Committee. These resources are not clinical practice recommendations issued by SOOMSA and should not replace independent clinical judgement, current guidelines, or consideration of individual patient circumstances and local practice. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the treating healthcare professional, and SOOMSA accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of these resources. All materials remain the intellectual property of their respective copyright holders. Links direct readers to the original sources, and some articles may require a subscription for full-text access.