Reports and guidelines

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the available evidence and determine the association between human exposure to nitrate in drinking water and adverse reproductive outcomes. It concludes that there is no consistent evidence of a relationship between nitrates in drinking water and preterm birth or small babies.

Some evidence points towards a potential association between nitrate in drinking water and limb deficiencies, but this is not conclusive and further research is needed to address this. The evidence suggests that monitoring and reporting of nitrates in drinking water is warranted, and that the maximum acceptable values of nitrates should be reviewed regularly as more evidence becomes available.

This research study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a nationwide pulse oximetry screening programme in New Zealand. It concludes that pulse oximetry is a safe, easy-to-use and effective tool that can identify serious diseases in the newborn before the onset of symptoms. It supports the introduction of a national screening programme, concluding that alternative approaches risk increasing inequity of access to the test.

These guidelines provide evidence-based clinical practice recommendations on the use of antenatal corticosteroids given to women prior to birth to improve fetal, infant and child and adult health.