Effect of Azithromycin on Childhood Mortality in Africa

In a randomized trial in three African countries, all-cause mortality was significantly lower among children who received azithromycin than among those who received placebo.

Preventive oral azithromycin has reduced incidence of trachoma and, incidentally, other childhood infection in clinical trials in Africa. Hypothesizing that mass prophylaxis with azithromycin would reduce overall mortality in young African children, investigators conducted a randomized trial in children aged 1 to 59 months in Malawi, Niger, and Tanzania. This cluster-randomized trial compared community-based randomization to oral azithromycin (about 20 mg per kg of body weight, administered at four 6-month intervals) versus placebo. There were 1533 communities with populations of 200 to 2000 each. The trial was approved by ethics committees of each country and the home ethics committees of each investigator.

In each country, there was a mort…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Effect of Azithromycin on Childhood Mortality in Africa

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Reviewing Author