Azithromycin With or Without Amoxicillin to Prevent Peripartum Infection and Sepsis in Laboring High-risk Women: 3-Arm RCT

This 3-arm study is a large randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of single dose oral azithromycin or combined azithromycin+amoxicillin compared to placebo for the prevention of peripartum infections and sepsis in laboring women. We have previously shown the effectiveness of azithromycin for extended spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis in addition to the standard cephalosporin alone for reduction of post-cesarean infections. In LICs, the fraction of maternal infection and sepsis from cesarean delivery is minimal. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate strategies aimed at reducing these morbidities in women who have vaginal births. There is an increased risk of infection in women who have prolonged labor or prolonged rupture of membranes. Drawing from our findings with azithromycin-based extended antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean delivery, we propose to adapt the intervention and evaluate a single oral dose of azithromycin (with or without oral amoxicillin) to prevent maternal peripartum infection and sepsis. This study, performed over a course of 3 years in 5 collaborating hospitals in Cameroon, Africa, will randomize 750 women in labor with prolonged rupture of membranes ≥ 8 hours or prolonged labor ≥18 hours to 1 gram of oral azithromycin, 1 gram of azithromycin+2 grams of amoxicillin, compared to usual care (placebo). Women will be followed to ascertain maternal infectious outcomes and perinatal outcomes.