Prioritizing investments in innovations to protect women from the leading causes of maternal death.

Abstract

PATH, an international nonprofit organization, assessed nearly 40 technologies for their potential to reduce maternal mortality from postpartum hemorrhage and preeclampsia and eclampsia in low-resource settings. The evaluation used a new Excel-based prioritization tool covering 22 criteria developed by PATH, the Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology (MANDATE) model, and consultations with experts. It identified five innovations with especially high potential: technologies to improve use of oxytocin, a uterine balloon tamponade, simplified dosing of magnesium sulfate, an improved proteinuria test, and better blood pressure measurement devices. Investments are needed to realize the potential of these technologies to reduce mortality.

• Authors: Tara M Herrick, Claudia M Harner-Jay, Alice M Levisay, Patricia S Coffey, Michael J Free, Paul D LaBarre
• Journal: BMC pregnancy and childbirth (BMC Pregnancy Childbirth) Vol. 14 Pg. 10 (Jan 09 2014) ISSN: 1471-2393 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24405972 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Oxytocin
• Magnesium Sulfate

Topics

• Africa South of the Sahara
• Asia
• Blood Pressure Determination (economics, instrumentation)
• Developing Countries (economics)
• Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological (economics)
• Eclampsia (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Inventions
• Investments
• Magnesium Sulfate (administration & dosage)
• Maternal Death (prevention & control)
• Models, Theoretical
• Organizations, Nonprofit
• Oxytocin (administration & dosage)
• Postpartum Hemorrhage (therapy)
• Pre-Eclampsia (diagnosis, drug therapy, urine)
• Pregnancy
• Proteinuria (diagnosis)
• Technology, Pharmaceutical
• Uterine Balloon Tamponade (economics, instrumentation)