title: 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.
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.
authors.affiliation: University of Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Renée J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences , Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Eijk
authors.affiliation: University of Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bussink
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences , Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences , Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Feiko O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Ter Kuile
keywords: artemisinins; malaria; pregnancy; quinine; treatment