Illustration of different caesarean section incision types, highlighting the importance of comparable data and standardised perinatal care. © FREEP!K   Large differences in how caesarean sections are used across Europe point to variation in perinatal care. These differences raise questions about how consistently evidence-based care is applied. Caesarean section is a common procedure that can affect maternal and newborn health outcomes. Standardised perinatal care is essential to ensure that evidence-based practice is applied consistently across settings. This joint statement reviews how caesarean section data are collected and compared in Europe. It is written for parents, families, and health professionals involved in pregnancy and newborn care. The paper shows that stronger, shared data standards are needed to support safer and more consistent care.   Differences in caesarean section rates between European countries are wide. Countries with similar resources report very different levels of intervention. This makes it hard to judge whether care is aligned with evidence and standards. Improving standardised perinatal care depends on understanding these gaps. The paper examines how existing European and international data sources report caesarean section rates. It compares routinely used indicators and highlights their limits. The focus is on whether current data allow meaningful comparison and evaluation of care.   Why standardised care matters for perinatal health The authors show that current international data mainly report overall caesarean section rates. These figures vary widely, from low to very high levels across Europe. However, basic rates do not explain why these differences exist. Important details, such as timing, indication, and population characteristics, are often missing. Without shared definitions, comparisons can be misleading. Standardised perinatal care needs comparable data to support evaluation and improvement. The paper also highlights differences between data sources. Some count women, others count births. Definitions of elective and emergency procedures vary. Missing or incomplete information further limits comparison. These inconsistencies reduce the usefulness of data for improving care quality.   What this means for parents and health professionals Clearer data standards can support better conversations about care. When health professionals have reliable information, they can reflect on practice and align care with evidence. Parents and families benefit from more transparent and comparable care approaches. Shared standards help support informed decision-making across settings. Improving data systems is a key step towards more consistent care. The authors encourage discussion about how caesarean section data are collected and used. Greater awareness of care standards can help drive quality improvement across Europe.   Paper available at: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Full list of authors: Velebil, P; Durox, M; Zeitlin, J; Mahmood, T; Euro-Peristat Research Group DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.02.056

Displaced women and children walk through a temporary refugee camp, illustrating the ongoing humanitarian crisis and its impact on vulnerable families. © FREEP!K   Access to consistent, high-quality pregnancy and newborn care can vary widely between populations. Differences in care pathways may affect health outcomes for mothers and newborns, especially in vulnerable groups. Standardised newborn care aims to reduce these gaps by ensuring the same level of care across settings. This is particularly important for families who face barriers in navigating health systems. This Research News is relevant for parents, families, and health professionals involved in pregnancy and newborn care. It highlights evidence showing where care is uneven and why aligning care standards matters for equity.   Differences in pregnancy and newborn care are often linked to where people live and their social circumstances. Refugee families may experience gaps in access to services that are routinely available to others. Standardised newborn care can help reduce these differences by defining clear expectations for care. In this context, standardised newborn care supports fairness and safety for all families. The featured study reviews existing research on maternal and newborn health among Syrian refugees living in Turkey. It compares health indicators between refugee and non-refugee populations using published studies. The aim was to identify inequalities in access to care and health outcomes related to pregnancy and the newborn period.   Why standardised care matters for equitable outcomes The review found clear differences in access to antenatal care between refugee and non-refugee women. Refugee women were less likely to receive at least four antenatal care visits during pregnancy. They were also less likely to receive iron supplementation and more likely to experience anaemia in late pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancy and home birth were more common among refugees. These findings point to gaps in how consistently care standards are applied. Strengthening standardised care pathways could help ensure timely and appropriate care for all pregnant women and newborns. Some outcomes did not differ between groups, showing that variation is not universal. Rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and neonatal intensive care admission were similar. Refugee women had lower rates , which the review links mainly to differences in maternal age rather than care quality. These mixed findings highlight that equity in care is complex. Standardised care can help focus attention on areas where gaps are most evident.   What this means for parents and health professionals For parents and families, the findings highlight how difficult it can be to access recommended care when information, language support, or services are not consistently available. Clear and well-communicated standards can help health systems support families more effectively, rather than placing responsibility on parents alone. Shared standards can help reduce missed care opportunities and improve communication across services. Improving equity starts with recognising variation in care. Discussing care standards with health teams can support more consistent practice. Learning from this evidence can help move towards fairer, high-quality care for every newborn and family.   Paper available at: Maternal and newborn health inequality among Syrian refugees in Turkey: a systematic review and meta-analysis Full list of authors: Hakimi, S; Ceber Turfan, E; Allahqoli, L; Ahmadi, M; Sogukpinar, N; Demirelöz Akyüz, M; Mehrabi, E; Rahmani, A; Alkatout, I DOI: 10.1186/s12939-025-02506-2

A tender moment between two parents and their newborn, symbolising the importance of family-centred newborn care. © Pexels Every newborn deserves care that protects their dignity and rights from the moment of birth. Yet, this global systematic review reveals that many infants experience disrespect and even abuse in healthcare facilities. Drawing on data from ten studies across Africa, Asia, and the United States, the research explored how newborns are treated after childbirth and identified factors that increase the risk of mistreatment. The findings show that disrespectful and unsafe practices, such as unnecessary procedures without consent, separation from mothers, or lack of breastfeeding support, remain widespread. The study highlights an urgent need to prioritise respectful newborn care as a core part of quality healthcare worldwide. Many countries have made progress in improving survival rates for mothers and infants. However, the quality of care provided immediately after birth often fails to meet international recommendations. Disrespectful practices during newborn care not only violate infants’ basic rights but also undermine parents’ trust in the health system. Simple yet essential actions such as drying, skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and timely breastfeeding are sometimes neglected or carried out without parental consent, revealing persistent gaps between policy and practice. The review included research from diverse settings, analysing data on how infants were treated during and after delivery. It found that newborns frequently experienced unnecessary medical procedures, poor communication from staff, and separation from their mothers without medical reason. Many parents reported not being informed about their infant’s care, and in some cases, caregivers failed to obtain consent before performing procedures. Physical handling such as slapping or shaking, or withholding breastfeeding guidance, were also reported, demonstrating a lack of standardised respectful care practices.   Reveals about disrespectful newborn care Across the studies, between 18 and 92 percent of infants were exposed to at least one form of disrespect or abuse. Key risk factors included preterm birth, being born to single or low-income mothers, and births assisted by instruments. Female infants were more likely than males to experience mistreatment. Infants born to mothers with limited education or those living in rural areas were also more likely to face inadequate care. Alarmingly, medical interventions without consent were common: up to 63 percent of newborns in some facilities were treated without their parents’ permission. Additional findings revealed missed opportunities for essential newborn care. Many infants were not placed in skin-to-skin contact, not breastfed within the first hour, or separated from their mothers without justification. Such practices can disrupt bonding, delay feeding, and increase stress for both infants and parents. The review also noted that when mothers themselves experienced abuse during childbirth, their newborns were more likely to be mistreated, suggesting a link between maternal and newborn care experiences.   Moving towards dignified and safe care The study emphasises that respectful newborn care is a fundamental human right. Training healthcare providers to follow evidence-based practices and communicate clearly with parents can significantly improve outcomes. Policies should ensure that no infant is denied care due to gender, family background, or socioeconomic status. Strengthening pre-service and in-service education on ethics, communication, and consent is crucial to creating a lasting culture of compassion and respect within maternity and neonatal care settings. Improving the quality of care during childbirth and the early postnatal period is vital to reducing avoidable deaths and ensuring that every newborn begins life in safety and dignity. Respectful care is not only a moral obligation but also a pathway towards healthier families and stronger health systems worldwide.   Paper available at: Respectful care of newborns after childbirth globally: a systematic review Full list of authors: Haghdoost, S.; Montazeri, S.; Iravani, M. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330251346063