Table 1.
Summary table of studies examining the effect of malaria treatment during pregnancy on low birth weight infants
| Authors | Country | Study design (year) | Sample size | Treatment; frequency | Method for determining malaria infection | Results/comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braun et al. [11] | Western Uganda | Cross-sectional study (2013) | 915 |
IPTp, SP; Start in 2nd trimester, then with every ANC visit |
Polymerase chain reaction of parasite DNA |
P. falciparuma infection was significantly associated with LBWb IPTpc—> no significant influence on the presence of P. falciparum infection |
| Mbonye et al. [12] | Mukono district, Uganda | Non-randomized community trial (2003–2005) | 2785 |
IPTp, SP; One dose in 2nd and one in 3rd trimester |
Self-reported (based on fever, headache, joint pain, general weakness) | Lower prevalence of LBW (6%) with the new delivery system vs. with health units (p < 0.03) |
| Mikomangwa et al. [13] | Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania | Facility-based observational cross-sectional study (2018) | 631 |
IPTp, SP; Start in 2nd trimester, then with every ANC visit |
Rapid antigen-based test |
The prevalence of LBW was 6.5%. Malaria positive women had 11 times increased risk of LBW compared to those who were negative (p = 0.04) ≥ 3 doses of IPTp-SPd—> 83% decreased risk of LBW compared to those who did not use IPTp-SP (p = 0.05) |
| Mosha et al. [14] | Moshi and Rufiji, Tanzania | Prospective observational study (2012) | 350 |
IPTp; Start in 2nd trimester, then monthly |
Polymerase chain reaction of parasite DNA | No significant association between IPTp use and reduced risk of LBW |
| Ndeserua et al. [15] | Rufiji, Tanzania | Cross-sectional study (2012) | 350 | 2 doses SP; One dose in 2nd and one in 3rd trimester | Quantification of parasites in blood smear | Two doses SP during pregnancy was insignificantly associated with risk of LBW (p = 0.73) |
| Ndyomugyenyi et al. [16] | Kabale, Uganda | Randomized controlled trial (2004–2007) | 5775 |
ITNe + placebo or ITN + IPTp or IPTp; Start in 2nd trimester, then with every ANC visit |
Quantification of parasites in blood smear | There was no significant difference between the three intervention groups in the prevalence of LBW (p = 0.802) |
| Van Eijk et al. [17] | Kenya | Cohort study (1999–2000) | 889 |
IPTp, SP; Start in 2nd trimester, then with every ANC visit |
Quantification of parasites in blood smear |
1 dose IPTp—> associated with a mean increased BWf of 54 g (p = 0.11) ≥ 2 doses IPTp- > associated with a mean increased BW of 128 g (p = 0.004) compared with mothers who had not used IPTp |
aPlasmodium falciparum, bLow birth weight, cIntermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy, dIntermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, eInsecticide-treated nets, fBirth weight. Note, all papers used the WHO definition of LBW (birth weight < 2.5 kg)