Adverse birth outcome case definitions associated with maternal HIV and antiretroviral drug use in pregnancy: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionThe global antiretroviral therapy era has led to a decline in the number of children newly acquiring HIV and an increase in the number of children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (HEU). This shift has prompted extensive research focussing on health and survival outcomes of children who are HEU. Study findings, particularly in relation to adverse birth outcomes, have been disparate, inconclusive and have not always been generalisable. Thus, the objectives of this scoping review are (1) to identify and extract definitions used for the adverse birth outcome terms 'low birth weight', 'small for gestational age', 'stillbirth' and 'preterm birth'; (2) to compare the characteristics of studies from which birth outcome definitions were extracted by (a) temporal periods and (b) study country setting (high-income vs low-income and middle-income countries); (3) to use content analysis to map and describe the temporal and geographic distribution of the definitions used and construct a logical model of their evolution. Methods and analysisThe online databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CINHAL/EBSCOhost will be used to identify published and grey literature from 2011 to 2022 to identify definitions for the adverse birth outcome terms 'low birth weight', 'small for gestational age', 'stillbirth' and 'preterm birth'. A three-step process of (1) duplicate removal, (2) title and abstract screening and (3) full text screening will be used to select included studies. The extracted data will be used to conduct a comparative analysis, content analysis and construct a logic model. Ethics and disseminationThis review will be used to inform a consensus process around the development of harmonised definitions for the specified adverse birth outcomes. Our dissemination plan includes presentations, publications as well as the development infographics and a resource hub. The study is approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University.

Automated summary

The global antiretroviral therapy era has led to changes in the population of children affected by HIV, with fewer children acquiring the virus and more children being HIV-exposed but uninfected. This scoping review aims to identify and compare definitions used for adverse birth outcomes, and map their distribution and evolution over time and geography. The findings will inform the development of harmonised definitions for adverse birth outcomes.