Efficacy of Combination Therapy for Prevention of Effects of Malaria During Pregnancy

Efficacy of Intermittent Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine + Artesunate Treatment in the Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy in an Area With Chloroquine-Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum

This study is an investigation to compare the efficacy of two different intermittent sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) treatment regimens and intermittent sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) + artesunate (SP/AS) treatment of HIV negative and positive mothers in clearing placental parasitemia at delivery. If intermittent protective SP/AS treatment is equally efficacious and safe as intermittent protective SP, such a regimen could be adapted for programmatic use as a potentially more durable alternative to SP monotherapy in areas of increasing SP resistance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women 15 years of age or older
• First or second pregnancy between 16 and 36 weeks gestation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy prior to 16 weeks or after 36 weeks gestation
• Third or later pregnancy;
• Report previous allergic reactions to SP, AS, or unknown antimalarials;
• If the distance to their home is too great or too inaccessible for follow-up;
• Child's father refuses the woman's participation