Maternal sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an infection during pregnancy, childbirth, post-abortion, or the postpartum period. It is the third leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and a significant contributor to overall sepsis-related deaths. In addition to posing severe risks to the mother, maternal infections and sepsis can lead to neonatal infections and other adverse neonatal outcomes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously published the WHO recommendations for prevention and treatment of maternal peripartum infections . The primary objective of WHO's recommendations is to provide a foundation for the strategic policy and programme development needed for sustainable implementation of effective interventions for improving provision and uptake of quality antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for all women and newborns.
Efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal sepsis are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing global health initiatives. With a view towards promoting the best-known clinical practices in labour and childbirth, and improving maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide, including for the prevention of peripartum infections, WHO will review the evidence for a recommendation related to Antibiotic prophylaxis during labour for vaginal birth. The development of this new recommendation has been prioritized.
A Guideline Development Group (GDG) meeting will be held on 9–10 April 2025 to review the evidence base on this recommendation. In keeping with the requirements of the WHO Guidelines Review Committee and the WHO Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics Office, we are posting online short biographies of the GDG members . The listed candidates have also submitted a Declaration of Interest form stating any conflict of interests. WHO has applied its internal processes to ensure that the performance of the above tasks by members of this group will be transparent and without any significant conflict of interests (academic, financial, or other) that could affect the credibility of the guideline.
