Pregnancy cohorts and biobanking in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

• Main Authors: Sanjeev Krishna, Andrew Shennan, Helena Boene, Marianne Vidler, Laura A Magee, Esperanca Sevene, Peter von Dadelszen, Eusébio Macete, Anifa Vala, Salésio Macuacua, Sónia Maculuve, Jeffrey Bone, Beth A Payne, Jane Sandall, Veronique Filippi, Lucilla Poston, Kate Bramham, Lucy Chappell, Melisa Martinez-Alvarez, Geoffrey Omuse, Guy Whitley, Hannah Blencowe, Sean Beevers, Rachel Craik, Marleen Temmerman, Jeffrey N Bone, Kelly Pickerill, Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, William Stones, Angela Koech Etyang, Anna Roca, Donna Russell, Rachel M Tribe, Umberto D’Alessandro, Hawanatu Jah, Ofordile Oguchukwu, Andrew Prentice, Brahima Diallo, Adbul Sesey, Kodou Lette, Alpha Bah, Chilel Sanyang, Peris Musitia, Mary Amondi, David Chege, Patricia Okiro, Sikolia Wanyonyi, Paulo Chin, Corssino Tchavana, Lazaro Quimice, Inacio Mandomando, Carla Carillho, Meriel Flint-O’Kane, Amber Strang, Marina Daniele, Tatenda Makanga, Liberty Makacha, Yolisa Dube, Newton Nyapwere, Rachel Tribe, Sophie Moore, Tatiana Salisbury, Ben Barratt, Aris Papageorgiou, Alison Noble, Joy Lawn, Matt Silver, Matthew Chico, Judith Cartwright, Jing (Larry) Li, Mai-Lei (Maggie) Woo Kinshella, Domena Tu, Warancha Tumtaweetikul, Marie-Laure Volvert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2020-11-01
• Series: BMJ Global Health
• Online Access: https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/11/e003716.full

Background Technological advances and high throughput biological assays can facilitate discovery science in biobanks from population cohorts, including pregnant women. Biological pathways associated with health outcomes differ depending on geography, and high-income country data may not generalise to low-resource settings. We conducted a systematic review to identify prospective pregnancy cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that include biobanked samples with potential to enhance discovery science opportunity.Methods Inclusion criteria were prospective data collection during pregnancy, with associated biobanking in SSA. Data sources included: scientific databases (with comprehensive search terms), grey literature, hand searching applicable reference lists and expert input. Results were screened in a three-stage process based on title, abstract and full text by two independent reviewers. The review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019147483).Results Fourteen SSA studies met the inclusion criteria from database searches (n=8), reference list searches (n=2) and expert input (n=4). Three studies have ongoing data collection. The most represented countries were South Africa and Mozambique (Southern Africa) (n=3), Benin (Western Africa) (n=4) and Tanzania (Eastern Africa) (n=4); including an estimated 31 763 women. Samples commonly collected were blood, cord blood and placenta. Seven studies collected neonatal samples. Common clinical outcomes included maternal and perinatal mortality, malaria and preterm birth.Conclusions Increasingly numerous pregnancy cohorts in SSA that include biobanking are generating a uniquely valuable resource for collaborative discovery science, and improved understanding of the high regional risks of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Future studies should align protocols and consider their added value and distinct contributions.