7/ For a 🇧🇷🇵🇹Portuguese summary of the findings of our systematic review, see: https://t.co/HsenOpI2zv

6/ To reach more definitive conclusions, we need: 🌎 research in more diverse settings 📝 more transparent reporting of methods ❓ a focus on how, when, and for whom prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution leads to the greatest health risks

5/ Findings on the association between prenatal air pollution exposure and subsequent risk of lower respiratory tract infections were inconclusive, without a clear and consistent direction. There was some suggestion of a positive association with prenatal PM2.5 exposure.

4/ The studies were highly heterogenous and multiple were at risk of detection bias in exposure and outcome assessment.

3/ We reviewed 16 publications describing 12 research studies. All were from high- or higher-middle income countries.

2/ Poor air quality is a threat to human health. However, little is known about how air pollution exposure in pregnancy influences health over the life course. We focused on lower respiratory tract infections - the leading cause of global under-5 mortality.

What are the long-term consequences of ambient air #pollution exposure in pregnancy? Read our🚨NEW systematic review🚨 on the potential association with lower respiratory tract infections in children and adolescents: https://t.co/rfXnteLU7h @MARCH_LSHTM @LSHTM_Planet 🧵👇 1/7

I never imagined presenting our research on heat and preterm birth in Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall - just one of the many challenges to women’s and newborn health discussed @GLOW2024. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this work including @Enny04762857 @cidacs_fiocruz!

How often do you think about climate change and its impact on maternal health? Dr Ana Bonell and Dr Yahaya Idris highlighted the impact of extreme heat on maternal health with research done in The Gambia and suggest some potential interventions to improve outcomes ✨

The authors of this systematic review found that interventions delivered during the antenatal period that included a multifaceted package of initiatives appeared to be most likely to be effective at increasing voluntary postpartum contraception. https://t.co/Z1K4H6uS0t

Read our article, ‘Surviving and Thriving in the #Postpartum Period’, where we discuss the urgent need for improved postpartum follow-up, and our work testing phone-based methods in the DRC. @USAID_MOMENTUM @EngenderHealth @MARCH_LSHTM https://t.co/e9P0bkM5Oo

8/ Our research was part of @USAID_MOMENTUM’s work to accelerate reductions in maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity in USAID partner countries. Read the full article in @GHSPjournal here:

7/ In summary: there are various methods to choose from. This should encourage health care facilities/public health authorities to consider integrating post-discharge follow-up into routine health care approaches – thereby contributing to better detection of postpartum morbidity.

6/ Few studies reported on the cost and resources needed for follow-up. More robust evaluations of the identified methods should examine outcomes beyond infection and assess validity and cost-effectiveness.

5/ We observed a range of response rates, with most methods reaching the majority of participants. The included studies demonstrate that post-discharge follow-up is feasible, well received, and important for identifying cases that would otherwise be missed.

4/ Using a systematic search strategy, we identified 31 relevant studies. We found that follow-up can be conducted using: 🏥 In-person visits 📞Telephone calls ✏️ Self-administered questionnaires 🔢 Or a combination of these methods

3/ Intensified follow-up has the potential to foster a continuum of care, enhance our understanding of postpartum morbidity & support quality improvement efforts. Our scoping review offers an overview of the diversity of methods available for post-discharge follow-up.

2/ Status quo: there are limited opportunities for much needed contact after discharge due to short stays in delivery facilities & suboptimal uptake of routine postnatal care.

Following women & newborns after they leave childbirth facilities is important for detecting complications & offering support. But how can follow-up be achieved? Read our new scoping review in @GHSPJournal summarising current follow-up approaches: https://t.co/VlKnsA3Pk5

This review found that follow-up after childbirth can be implemented using a variety of methods after discharge with high response rates in most studies and have the potential to be integrated into routine health care approaches. https://t.co/oyhjN5Mm1p