One of the major reasons known to cause deaths in women in developing countries is Postpartum haemmorhage.A breakthrough to control and lessen the number of deaths caused because of uncontrolled bleeding following childbirth is in the limelight now following the extensive research and studies conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri, India's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and the National Institutes of Health . The studies have come to the conclusion that the drug Misoprostol is a reliable and safe option to control and curb excessive bleeding following childbirth.
Following the delivery of a baby as a rule the placenta (a temporary organ which attaches a fetus to its mother while yet in the womb) is also expelled through the birth canal, following which the uterus(womb) begins to contract gradually, thereby compressing the blood vessels in its muscles. In the event of a tear or trauma during delivery ,to the uterus or surrounding tissues or, if the uterus fails to contract it can result in continuous bleeding.Uterine atony(failure to contract) occurs usually as a result of a piece of placenta remaining in the uterine cavity or following onset of infections.The WHO definition of primary post-partum haemorrhage is loss of blood estimated to be > 500ml from the genital tract within 24 hours of delivery.
Women from rural parts of India were studied for this research which was funded by the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research which by itself is a partnership project between NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings of this research which are thoroughly scientific has been mentioned in the renowned medical journal, Lancet in its recent October issue .The research work this network is involved with aims to facilitate and augment better medical treatment and to ensure standardized medical procedures at affordable costs to the women and young children in developing countries. This Global network in its venture has made it possible for foreign researchers to link up with their peers in the U.S stretching the capacity of science to get a greater perspective of research infrastructure.
Source-Newswise
SRM
