These opinion papers are produced by the Scientific Advisory Committee.
Below, you can browse Scientific Impact Papers by title or year published.
For any enquiries about the Scientific Impact Papers, please contact Laura Dean-Osgood, Assistant Editor ldean-osgood@rcog.org.uk.
If you would like to propose a new Scientific Impact Paper, please complete the Topic Proposal Form and email it to clinicaleffectiveness@rcog.org.uk.
The evidence for the use of novel therapies to treat haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is discussed in this Scientific Impact Paper. This includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a potential non-invasive method to prevent or delay the onset of severe anaemia. This is the first edition of this paper.
Published: 18 December 2024
This Scientific Impact Paper summarises the issues around screening, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnancy, utilising the best available evidence, and highlighting recent advances since the previous edition. This is the second edition of this paper.
Updated: October 2024
This Scientific Impact Paper discusses the current context of use of expanded carrier screening (ECS), as well as the clinical and technical considerations of performing ECS and the ethics to be considered.
Published: 06 June 2024
This Scientific Impact Paper reviews the current evidence on the prediction, prevention and management of impacted fetal head at caesarean birth.
This Scientific Impact Paper outlines the level of evidence available for the use of laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), as well as highlighting areas of uncertainty and debate.
Published 27/7/2022
This Scientific Impact Paper looks at the use of robotics in different fields of gynaecological surgery, including cancers and endometriosis. It considers impact on surgical performance and complications, and discusses safety and effectiveness compared with conventional keyhole surgery.
Published 18/7/2022
This Scientific Impact Paper uses the latest evidence to provide information on thyroid testing and the management of mild thyroid problems and thyroid antibodies in women with a history of subfertility or recurrent miscarriages.
Published 29/06/2022
This Scientific Impact Paper highlights research that may pave the way towards bespoke surgery according to the biological characteristics of a tumour and aid gynaecological oncologists to provide surgical treatment according to individual need, rather than a blanket approach for all.
Published 25/05/2022
This Scientific Impact Paper reviews the use of the drug misoprostol for the induction of labour as well as ‘mechanical’ induction using a balloon catheter. The paper examines the evidence that suggests these methods are both at least as safe and effective as using the standard drug, dinoprostone. The effects of these methods on birth outcomes and number of caesarean births is discussed, along with suitability for outpatient or home induction and the advantages for specific patient groups.
Published 28/04/2022
This is the first edition of this paper. Its aim is to inform those involved in the care of pregnant women in the UK about the relationship between social determinants of health and the risk of maternal death.
Published 10/02/2022
This Scientific Impact Paper details the risk factors for ovarian cancer which determine the indications for and timing of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. It also outlines the subsequent consequences of premature surgical menopause and the role of hormone replacement therapy – its benefits, risks and limitations.
Published 21/10/2021
The purpose of this Scientific Impact Paper is to summarise the pertinent published literature on uterine transplantation (UTx) and to propose a framework for establishing a sustainable UTx programme in the UK. Potential recipients and donors are discussed, as well as the surgical, immunological, fertility, obstetric, psychological and ethical considerations associated with this procedure.
Published 29/04/2021
This Scientific Impact Paper examines past and more recent evidence on the use of prenatal exome sequencing and outlines what this test adds to current practice in identifying congenital anomalies.
Published 16/02/2021
This Scientific Impact Paper examines the reasons behind the increasing numbers of women choosing to freeze their eggs (cryopreservation of oocytes) in the absence of a medical condition, the efficacy and safety of the technique, the ethical considerations, and the importance of improved and continuing fertility education to optimise success rates.
Published 27/02/2020
The task of counselling and caring for women diagnosed with congenital uterine anomalies (CUAs) is complex because of four issues: inconsistent classifications, the use of diverse diagnostic modalities, the challenges associated with determining the reproductive impact of each anomaly using published data, and the absence of a single randomised controlled trial to address surgical management of CUAs. The aim of this Scientific Impact Paper is to address these issues and make recommendations.
Published 21/11/2019
This Scientific Impact Paper considers the latest evidence in relation to treatment options in the prenatal management of pregnancies at risk of FNAIT; specifically, the role of screening, immunoglobulins, steroids, fetal blood sampling and intrauterine platelet transfusion.
Published 10/04/2019
This Scientific Impact Paper summarises the available evidence for the combined use of ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging to comprehensively assess the brain in fetuses with congenital cardiac defects.
Published 27/03/2019
The purpose of this Scientific Impact Paper is to clarify advice regarding pain relief in the antenatal and postnatal periods reviewing evidence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and European Medicines Agency.
Published 13/12/2018
This Scientific Impact Paper discusses the controversies surrounding the current use of biomarkers and their potential future use.
Published 07/11/2018
This Scientific Impact Paper summarises current viewpoints on our understanding of epigenetics and the relevance of these findings to reproductive medicine.
Published 25/09/2018
This paper discusses the increase in the multiple pregnancy rate as a result of assisted reproduction and the implications.
Published 02/02/2018
This paper will review the current evidence for management of endometriomas within the context of infertility treatment.
Published 25/09/2017
This paper discusses the use of metformin as an infertility treatment for women with PCOS.
Published 23/08/2017
This Scientific Impact Paper discusses the evidence for endometrial trauma and improved implantation rates, the mechanisms by which implantation may improve, timing and technique for inducing endometrial trauma and who may benefit.
Published 28/11/2016
In this Scientific Impact Paper, the data relating to NK cell function will be reviewed and recommendations made regarding the measurement of NK cells in women with reproductive failure.
Published 28/11/2016
This Scientific Impact Paper studies the management of female malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCTs).
Published 25/11/2016
This Scientific Impact Paper discusses the potential benefits of SLNB, those women with endometrial cancer who may be most suitable for SLNB, and detection and analysis techniques.
Published 19/07/2016
This Scientific Impact Paper attempts to present the current evidence and future research required, with particular focus on UK practice.
Published 19/07/2016
This paper reviews the challenges and developments associated with cervical screening programmes.
Published 16/03/2016
This paper reviews the most recent evidence on the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery as an intervention to improve female fertility and reproductive outcomes in obese women.
Published 15/10/2015
This paper discusses the challenges in developing therapeutics in obstetrics and identifying best practice.
Published 13/05/2015
This paper addresses the issues of ultrasound in the embryonic period. It will consider both medical and non-medical use of the commonly used ultrasound modes in the embryonic stage of human development (up to 10 weeks of gestation).
Published 13/03/2015
This paper summarises the physiology of cord clamping and reviews the evidence related to timing of clamping.
Published 27/02/2015
This paper considers the risks related to gene mutations and the options for reducing or managing the risk of gynaecological cancer.
Published 04/02/2015
This paper describes the options for treating women with chronic pelvic pain that target the nervous system.
Published 28/01/2015
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 28/01/2015
This paper reviews the understanding of ovarian carcinogenesis, especially HGSOC because it has the potential to significantly change clinical preventive strategies in ovarian cancer.
Published 19/11/2014
This paper describes the aetiology, therapeutic options and research needs for the management of malignant ascites secondary to ovarian cancer.
Published 19/11/2014
This paper investigates the effects of vitamin D on the placento-fetal unit and the mother.
Published 26/06/2014
This paper summarises current evidence and issues surrounding non-invasive prenatal testing, with particular emphasis on the detection of chromosomal abnormalities.
Published 04/03/2014
This paper reviews the evidence and provides an opinion on the management of women in preterm labour at the extreme of infant viability.
Published 11/02/2014
This guideline provides guidance on the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of detrusor overactivity and overactive blladder.
Published 05/02/2014
This paper discusses treatment options for ovarian cancer.
Published 06/09/2013
This paper discusses the timing of sex steroid treatments to induce puberty and the research conducted in this area.
Published 02/08/2013
This paper provides guidance for clinicians and policy makers on the use of effective adhesion prevention agents.
Published 05/06/2013
This paper provides advice on the sources and routes of chemical exposure during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, to allow women to minimise harm to their child.
Published 05/06/2013
This paper provides guidance for obstetricians on how to advise women on whether it is suitable for them to fly during pregnancy.
Published 22/05/2013
This paper discusses the female genital tract and the fetus as sources and targets for molecular and regenerative medicine.
Published 22/05/2013
This paper discusses enhanced recovery (also known as ‘fast track’, ‘rapid’ or ‘accelerated’ recovery) in gynaecology.
Published 08/02/2013
This paper examines the evidence for giving antibiotics to women in preterm labour.
Published 08/02/2013
This paper discusses the induction of labour in women of advanced maternal age (40+ years) and the possible benefits of inducing at an earlier stage of gestation (39–40 weeks).
Published 01/02/2013
This paper discusses gynaecological cancers and the different fertility-sparing treatments available to women.
Published 01/02/2013
This paper examines the evidence regarding the outcomes of pregnancy, delivery and early childhood associated with conception by IVF and associated procedures.
Published 06/06/2012
This paper reviews the evidence for the treatment of endometrial cancer in light of the increasing proportion of obese women with this disease.
Published 06/06/2012
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 02/05/2012
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived
Published 20/03/2012
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 14/10/2011
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived
Published 28/09/2011
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 28/09/2011
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 24/06/2011
This paper discusses the role and value of optimum surgery in the management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
Published 24/06/2011
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 26/01/2011
This paper discusses various issues related to reproductive ageing and strategies to ameliorate their impact on fertility.
Published 26/01/2011
This paper provides guidance on alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms.
Published 01/09/2010
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 13/05/2010
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 13/05/2010
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 13/05/2010
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived. Please refer to the Department of Health for up-to-date information.
Published 20/11/2009
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 19/10/2009
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 01/06/2008
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived. Please see Scientific Impact Paper no. 53 The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Human Fertility and no. 54 Local Endometrial Trauma (Endometrial Scratch): A Treatment Strategy to Improve Implantation Rates.
Published 01/06/2008
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 01/11/2007
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 01/10/2007
This paper provides advice on various issues related to cord blood banking, including the science, clinical use, safety and legal issues.
Published 01/06/2006
This Scientific Impact Paper has been archived.
Published 01/04/2003
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