Sulfadoxine- Pyrimethamine Versus Weekly Chloroquine for Malaria Prevention in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia

Summary

Malaria is fatal and increases the risk of death among children with sickle cell anemia. Chemoprophylaxis significantly improves quality of life in these children. In Uganda Chloroquine is the drug of choice for prophylaxis and yet it's effectiveness is limited due to high levels of resistance throughout the country. Intermittent presumptive treatment with sulfadoxine - Pyrimethamine a new approach to malaria prevention, has shown great potential in reducing incidence of malaria and anaemia among high risk groups such as pregnant women and infants. However no studies have been done in Uganda to determine if presumptive treatment with sulfadoxine- pyrimethamine reduces the incidence of malaria in children with sickle cell anaemia. Hypothesis : Presumptive treatment with sulfadoxine- Pyrimethamine is better than weekly chloroquine in reducing incidence of malaria in children with sickle cell anaemia.

Timeline

Start

2006-10

Primary completion

2007-02

Completion

2007-02

Publications

• Background Schellenberg D, Menendez C, Kahigwa E, Aponte J, Vidal J, Tanner M, Mshinda H, Alonso P. Intermittent treatment for malaria and anaemia control at time of routine vaccinations in Tanzanian infants: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2001 May 12;357(9267):1471-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04643-2.
• Background Massaga JJ, Kitua AY, Lemnge MM, Akida JA, Malle LN, Ronn AM, Theander TG, Bygbjerg IC. Effect of intermittent treatment with amodiaquine on anaemia and malarial fevers in infants in Tanzania: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2003 May 31;361(9372):1853-60. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13504-0.
• Background Cisse B, Sokhna C, Boulanger D, Milet J, Ba el H, Richardson K, Hallett R, Sutherland C, Simondon K, Simondon F, Alexander N, Gaye O, Targett G, Lines J, Greenwood B, Trape JF. Seasonal intermittent preventive treatment with artesunate and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for prevention of malaria in Senegalese children: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Lancet. 2006 Feb 25;367(9511):659-67. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68264-0.

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