Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy Versus Quinine or Other Combinations for Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in the Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Renée J BurgerFeiko O Ter Kuile

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare efficacy, safety and tolerability of ACTs versus quinine and other non-ACT antimalarials. The median PCR-adjusted failure rate by days 28 to 63 in the non-ACT group was 6 (range 0-37) per 100 women, lower in the ACT group overall (pooled risk ratio [PRR] random effects, 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-1.05; 6 trials), and significantly lower compared with oral quinine (PRR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08-0.49; 4 trials). There were no differences in fetal deaths and congenital abnormalities. Compared with quinine, artemisinin-based combinations therapies were associated with less tinnitus (PRR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.03-1.11; 4 studies), dizziness (PRR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.93; 3 trials), and vomiting (PRR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.73; 3 trials). Artemisinin-based combination therapies are better than quinine in the second and third trimesters; their use should be encouraged among health workers.

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Citations

Aug 11, 2016·Reproductive Toxicology·Caroline GomesPaulo Roberto Dalsenter
Mar 19, 2014·Pharmacology & Therapeutics·Michael J ParnhamRobin Vos
Jan 25, 2021·Malaria Journal·Khalid A J Al Khaja, Reginald P Sequeira
Feb 6, 2018·The Lancet Infectious Diseases·Umberto D'AlessandroEsperanca Sevene

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