Birth Outcomes Similar with Dihydroartemisinin–Piperaquine vs. Standard Malaria Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy

Dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine was well tolerated and was superior to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in preventing symptomatic maternal malaria.

Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (S–P) is recommended during pregnancy in malaria-endemic areas, but parasite resistance is eroding its efficacy. Investigators conducted a double-blind, randomized superiority trial in rural Uganda to assess safety and efficacy of intermittent preventive therapy with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (D–P) versus S–P. HIV-negative pregnant women (12–20 weeks' gestation) were randomly assigned to monthly D–P or S–P. At enrollment, 51% had malaria parasites detected by microscopy.

The primary analysis included 666 women with live births; the primary endpoint was composite adverse birth outcomes (low birthweight, preterm birth, small for gestational age). Adverse infant outcomes did …

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Birth Outcomes Similar with Dihydroartemisinin–Piperaquine vs. Standard Malaria Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy

Topics

Reviewing Author