title: A cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of mass azithromycin treatment on growth and nutrition in Niger.
abstract: Antimicrobials are used primarily to treat infectious disease, but they have other effects. Here, we assess anthropometry measurements in children 6-60 months in 24 communities randomized to one or two mass azithromycin distributions over a 1-year period in Niger. We compared the prevalence of wasting, low mid-upper arm circumference, stunting, and underweight in communities in the two treatment arms. We were unable to prove that there was a difference in the prevalence of wasting in the 12 communities that received one mass azithromycin distribution versus the 12 communities that received two mass azithromycin distributions (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval = 0.46-1.23). Likewise, we were unable to detect a difference in the two treatment arms for low mid-upper arm circumference, stunting, and underweight. There may not be an association between antibiotic use and improved growth in humans, or this trial was not powerful enough to detect an association if it exists.
authors.forename: Abdou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amza
authors.forename: Boubacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kadri
authors.forename: Baido
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nassirou
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Stoller
authors.forename: Sun N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhaoxia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Sheila K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: David C W
authors.initials: DCW
authors.lastname: Mabey
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Keenan
authors.forename: Travis C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Porco
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lietman
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gaynor
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009548:Niger; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin