Gap finder
Search review questions
Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
3,601 questions in 252 reviews · Pregnancy and Childbirth
current versionsNo studies 726 · 20.2%Ungraded 421 · 11.7%Very low 828 · 23%Low 993 · 27.6%Moderate 486 · 13.5%High 147 · 4.1%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Paracervical block vs intravenous diazepam/pethidine analgesia Providers' satisfaction with the procedure · women with persistent or prolonged retention of placenta Anaesthesia/analgesia for manual removal of retained placenta (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.5 [0.71, 3.16] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Paracervical block vs intravenous diazepam/pethidine analgesia Women's satisfaction with the procedure · women with persistent or prolonged retention of placenta Anaesthesia/analgesia for manual removal of retained placenta (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.82 [0.49, 1.37] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Perinatal death (at population level) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.11 [1.04, 1.19] | 1 study · 100705 participants | Moderate |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Offspring mortality, early neurodevelopmental morbidity or late neurodevelopmental morbidity · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Offspring mortality or severe neonatal morbidity · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Neonatal death before 28 days (at population level) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.12 [1.02, 1.23] | 1 study · 100705 participants | Moderate |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Stillbirth (at population level) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.11 [1.02, 1.21] | 1 study · 100705 participants | Moderate |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Appropriate ACS treatment (women) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 4.34 [3.59, 5.25] | 1 study · 4389 participants | Low |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Inappropriate ACS treatment (women) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 9.11 [8.04, 10.33] | 1 study · 89237 participants | Low |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Maternal infection or inflammation (at population level) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.49 [1.32, 1.68] | 1 study · 99742 participants | Low |
Strategies to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids vs routine (usual) care Maternal mortality (at population level) · women at risk of preterm birth Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.11 [0.64, 1.92] | 1 study · 99742 participants | Low |
External uterine compression (all methods) plus normal care vs normal care Mortality due to bleeding ‐ not reported · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. PPH was defined as quote: "blood loss > 500mL after… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One uterine devascularisation technique (uterine arterial embolisation) vs another uterine devascularisation technique (surgical devascularisation plus B‐Lynch) Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) · treating primary postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One uterine devascularisation technique (uterine arterial embolisation) vs another uterine devascularisation technique (surgical devascularisation plus B‐Lynch) Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation · treating primary postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One uterine devascularisation technique (uterine arterial embolisation) vs another uterine devascularisation technique (surgical devascularisation plus B‐Lynch) Mean blood loss (mL) (trialist defined) · treating primary postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One uterine devascularisation technique (uterine arterial embolisation) vs another uterine devascularisation technique (surgical devascularisation plus B‐Lynch) Blood transfusion (red cell or whole blood) · treating primary postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One uterine devascularisation technique (uterine arterial embolisation) vs another uterine devascularisation technique (surgical devascularisation plus B‐Lynch) Side effects of the intervention (e.g. trauma, necrosis) · treating primary postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.08, 15.41] | 1 study · 23 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Mortality due to bleeding · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 6.21 [0.77, 49.98] | 1 study · 116 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Hysterectomy to control bleeding · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 4.14 [0.48, 35.93] | 1 study · 116 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.52 [1.15, 2] | 1 study · 113 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Mean blood loss (mL) (trialist defined) · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
External uterine compression (all methods) plus normal care vs normal care Hysterectomy to control bleeding ‐ not reported · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. PPH was defined as quote: "blood loss > 500mL after… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Blood transfusion (red cell or whole blood) · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.49 [0.88, 2.51] | 1 study · 116 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade plus normal care (misoprostol) vs normal care (misoprostol) Side effects of the intervention (e.g. trauma, necrosis) ‐ Severe shivering, diarrhoea, vomiting or high temperature · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. Women were suspected to have PPH due to clinical atony and… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 116 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Mortality due to bleeding · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 240 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Hysterectomy to control bleeding · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.74] | 1 study · 240 participants | Very low |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Mean blood loss (mL) (trialist defined) · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Blood transfusion (red cell or whole blood) · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intrauterine balloon tamponade (latex balloon inflated with air) plus cerclage and normal care vs normal care Side effects of the intervention (e.g. trauma, necrosis) ‐ trauma, pyrexia, allergic reaction · women with PPH, due to atony, following vaginal birth at home or in hospital (Soltan 2007) Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 240 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Mortality due to bleeding · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
External uterine compression (all methods) plus normal care vs normal care Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) ‐ not reported · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. PPH was defined as quote: "blood loss > 500mL after… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Hysterectomy to control bleeding · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Mean blood loss (mL) (trialist defined) · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Blood transfusion (red cell or whole blood) · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.57 [0.14, 2.36] | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs haemostatic square suturing to the lower segment of the uterus (intrauterine tamponade versus another mechanical/surgical method) Side effects of the intervention (e.g. trauma, necrosis) · women with complete placenta praevia and intractable bleeding following caesarean section Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 13 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Mortality due to bleeding · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Hysterectomy to control bleeding · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.5 [0.05, 5.25] | 1 study · 66 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Serious maternal morbidity (renal or respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure) · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
External uterine compression (all methods) plus normal care vs normal care Number of women with total blood loss 1000 mL or more after randomisation ‐ not reported · women diagnosed with primary PPH following vaginal birth. PPH was defined as quote: "blood loss > 500mL after… Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Mean blood loss (mL) (trialist defined) · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Blood transfusion (red cell or whole blood) · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.88, 1.06] | 1 study · 58 participants | Very low |
Bakri balloon tamponade vs condom‐loaded Foley Catheter (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Side effects of the intervention (e.g. trauma, necrosis) · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade+traction stitch vs Bakri balloon (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Mortality due to bleeding · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Bakri balloon tamponade+traction stitch vs Bakri balloon (one intrauterine tamponade compared to another intrauterine tamponade technique) Hysterectomy to control bleeding · women with primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage Mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary postpartum haemorrhage (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.2 [0.01, 3.97] | 1 study · 50 participants | Very low |