Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42033080›Full record

SynthesisJournal of pregnancy2026

Global Seroprevalence (HSV-2 IgG), Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Genital Herpes Infection During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nader Salari, Ashkan Fatemi Gohar, Fateme Lotfi, Farnaz Jalili, Negar Heidari, Paria Heidari, Masoud Mohammadi

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of pregnancy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Nader SalariDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, kums.ac.ir.
Ashkan Fatemi GoharStudent Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, kums.ac.ir.
Fateme LotfiStudent Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, kums.ac.ir.
Farnaz JaliliDepartment of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.
Negar HeidariDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, kums.ac.ir.
Paria HeidariDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, kums.ac.ir.
Masoud MohammadiResearch Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran, jums.ac.ir.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5722-8300

Funding

Deputy for Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences 4040410
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenital herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2) infection (HSV-2 IgG) is a common infection in adults. Given that the virus can indirectly affect fetal development, the infection is particularly important in pregnant women. The disease can remain latent for extended periods and, in addition to causing chronic and recurrent complications, can sometimes result in miscarriage. This study is aimed at investigating the global seroprevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of HSV-2 IgG during pregnancy through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

methodIn this study, the electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched to find studies reporting the seroprevalence of HSV-2 IgG until February 2025. A random-effects model was used for analysis. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I

resultsIn the analysis of 15 studies with a sample size of 19,197 pregnant women, the global seroprevalence of HSV-2 IgG in pregnant women was reported as 23.4%. In examining the factors influencing the heterogeneity of the studies and the impact of sample size on this heterogeneity, it was reported that as sample size increased, the seroprevalence of HSV-2 IgG in pregnant women decreased (p < 0.05). Additionally, the findings suggested that with the increase in the year of study, the seroprevalence decreased (p < 0.05). In this study, a history of sexually transmitted diseases and having more than one sexual partner were also identified as factors associated with HSV-2 IgG in pregnancy.

conclusionGiven the seroprevalence (HSV-2 IgG), associated factors, and significant complications of contracting this infection during pregnancy, it is recommended that relevant authorities provide the necessary resources to increase awareness among the public and apply appropriate prevention and follow-up measures to minimize the risk of infection.

Indexed as

Herpes GenitalisHerpesvirus 2, HumanPregnancy Complications, InfectiousAntibodies, ViralFemaleHumansImmunoglobulin GPregnancyRisk FactorsSeroepidemiologic StudiesAntibodies, ViralImmunoglobulin GHerpes Simplex Virus Type 2HSV-2 IgGpregnancy seroprevalence

Identifiers

PMID42033080
PMCPMC13109659

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.