Azithromycin if taken during pregnancy reduces LBW and premature births: Lancet
Written By : Hina Zahid
Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli
Published On 2021-09-22 05:17 GMT | Update On 2021-09-22 09:47 GMT
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A common antibiotic azithromycin has been found to reduce low birth weight and premature births, if taken during pregnancy, in countries where malaria is endemic, according to a research review led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI).
The researchers found that azithromycin reduced low birth weight and prematurity in Africa and Asia but didn't lower infant deaths, infections and hospital admissions.
The systematic review has been published in The Lancet EClinicalMedicine.
The researchers reviewed 14 studies undertaken in African and Asian countries, involving 17,594 participants.
Azithromycin is an inexpensive antibiotic widely used to treat chest and ear infections. In pregnancy it has been specifically used in the past to treat STIs and, alongside other antimalarial drugs, to prevent adverse consequences of malaria on maternal and fetal outcomes and caesarean wound infections.
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