Cited by 102Malaria Research and ControlGlobal Maternal and Child HealthMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine plus azithromycin for the prevention of low birthweight in Papua New Guinea: a randomised controlled trial

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Unger, Holger W, Ome-Kaius, Maria, Wangnapi, Regina A, Umbers, Alexandra J, Hanieh, Sarah, Suen, Connie SN Li Wai, Robinson, Leanne J, Rosanas-Urgell, Anna +13 more·2015·BMC Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy has not been evaluated outside of Africa. Low birthweight (LBW, <2,500 g) is common in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and contributing factors include malaria and reproductive tract infections. METHODS: From November 2009 to February 2013, we conducted a parallel group, randomised controlled trial in pregnant women (≤ 26 gestational weeks) in PNG. Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (1,500/75 mg) plus azithromycin (1 g twice daily for 2 days) (SPAZ) monthly from second trimester (intervention) was compared against sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine (450 to 600 mg, daily for three days) (SPCQ) given once, followed by SPCQ placebo (control). Women were assigned to treatment (1:1) using a randomisation sequence with block sizes of 32. Participants were blinded to assignments. The primary outcome was LBW. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Of 2,793 women randomised, 2,021 (72.4%) were included in the primary outcome analysis (SPCQ: 1,008; SPAZ: 1,013). The prevalence of LBW was 15.1% (305/2,021). SPAZ reduced LBW (risk ratio [RR]: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60-0.91, P = 0.005; absolute risk reduction (ARR): 4.5%, 95% CI: 1.4-7.6; number needed to treat: 22), and preterm delivery (0.62, 95% CI: 0.43-0.89, P = 0.010), and increased mean birthweight (41.9 g, 95% CI: 0.2-83.6, P = 0.049). SPAZ reduced maternal parasitaemia (RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.95, P = 0.029) and active placental malaria (0.68, 95% CI: 0.47-0.98, P = 0.037), and reduced carriage of gonorrhoea (0.66, 95% CI: 0.44-0.99, P = 0.041) at second visit. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs), and the number of SAEs (intervention 13.1% [181/1,378], control 12.7% [174/1,374], P = 0.712) and AEs (intervention 10.5% [144/1,378], control 10.8% [149/1,374], P = 0.737) was similar. A major limitation of the study was the high loss to follow-up for birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: SPAZ was efficacious and safe in reducing LBW, possibly acting through multiple mechanisms including the effect on malaria and on sexually transmitted infections. The efficacy of SPAZ in the presence of resistant parasites and the contribution of AZ to bacterial antibiotic resistance require further study. The ability of SPAZ to improve pregnancy outcomes warrants further evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01136850 (06 April 2010).

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Authors
Unger, H. W., Ome-Kaius, M., Wangnapi, R. A., Umbers, A. J., Hanieh, S., Suen, C. S. L. W., Robinson, L. J., Rosanas-Urgell, A., Wapling, J., Lufele, E., Kongs, C., Samol, P., Sui, D., Singirok, D., Bardaji, A., Schofield, L., Menendez, C., Betuela, I., Siba, P., Mueller, I., & Rogerson, S. J.
Affiliations
  • The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
  • Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PG)
  • Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (AU)
Corresponding author
Rogerson, Stephen J
Venue
BMC Medicine
Published
2015-01-16
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
9-9
ISSN
1741-7015 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1999835984
Cited by
102
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 12
FWCI
11.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline - JCU (James Cook University) (submittedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (46099)
  • Pfizer
  • European Commission (201588)
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Malaria Research and Control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, azithromycin, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm birth, placental malaria, reproductive tract infections, malaria in pregnancy, chloroquine, Papua New Guinea, maternal health interventions, neonatal mortality reduction
MeSH terms
Adult, Antimalarials, Chloroquine, Drug Combinations, Female, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Malaria, Papua New Guinea, Pregnancy, Pyrimethamine, Sulfadoxine, Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic, Single-Blind Method, Azithromycin, Young Adult

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