Outcome of pregnancy and infant survival were similar between treatment arms indicating that any of the four artemisinin-based combinations could be safely used during the second and third trimester of pregnancy without any adverse effect on the baby.
Malaria, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, continues to disproportionately affect pregnant women.
Mefloquine was evaluated as an alternative for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) due to increasing resistance against the first-line drug sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Plasmodium falciparum malaria during pregnancy is responsible for deleterious consequences for the mother and her child.
Overall, coverage of both IPTp2+ and IPTp3+ has improved in recent years.
Plasmodium falciparum infections are expected to occur in at least one in every eight women attending first ANC at private clinics in Monrovia and outside the peak of the rainy season.
The trial results suggest that in an area of high malaria transmission with moderate sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance, ISTp with artemether–lumefantrine may be an effective strategy for controlling malaria in pregnancy.
Our findings suggest that revised AL dosing regimens for young children and pregnant women would improve drug exposure but would require longer or more complex schedules.
ANC attendance is vital in IPTp uptake.
Understanding of malaria varied as a concern for pregnant women, continued use of unproven malaria prevention and treatment strategies was evident in this population in India.
