Malaria in Pregnancy: Nutrition and Immunologic Effects

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Malaria; Low Birth Weight; Perinatal Mortality; Anemia
• Interventions: Other: Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Vitamin A; Dietary Supplement: Zinc

• Registration Number: NCT01115478
• Lead Sponsor: Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of zinc and/or vitamin A supplementation in reducing the risk of placental malaria and its associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Detailed Description

Malaria accounts for a major proportion of the disease burden in Tanzania with 14 to 18 million new malaria cases being reported each year resulting in 100,000-125,000 deaths. Malaria results in impaired productivity for those between 15-55 years and lost learning opportunities in the 5-25 year age group. Dar es Salaam is characterized as an area with endemic and perennial malaria, with transmission occurring during the entire year. P. falciparum accounts for more than 95% of malaria infections. A number of interventions have contributed to reducing the burden of the disease in some settings in Tanzania and beyond, including vector control measures, bed nets, and prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. However, malaria remains a serious problem among pregnant women and children. We will examine the efficacy of micronutrient supplements as a means of enhancing immune response to malaria in pregnancy and reducing the risks of associated adverse clinical outcomes. If successful, such a low-cost intervention would be added to the armamentarium against this disease.

NOTE: The time frames listed for the maternal malaria and hemoglobin outcomes were updated on 4/22/15. This record initially indicated that maternal malaria anemia and hemoglobin would be measured at several specific time points throughout the study. Instead, maternal malaria was measured throughout pregnancy and hemoglobin was measured only at delivery. Due to an oversight, we did not update this record when this protocol change took effect at the start of the study.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2010-04-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-04-30
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-04
• Study Start: 2010-07
• Primary Completion: 2014-06
• Study Completion: 2014-06
• Status Verified: 2015-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-04-22
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 2500

Inclusion Criteria

• Primigravida or secundigravidae
• At or before 13 weeks of gestation
• HIV-negative
• Intend to stay in Dar es Salaam until delivery and for at least 6 weeks thereafter

Exclusion Criteria

• Not primigravida or secundigravidae
• After 13 weeks of gestation
• HIV-positive
• Do not intend to stay in Dar es Salaam until delivery and for at least 6 weeks thereafter

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Vitamin A + Zinc	Zinc	-
Placebo	Placebo	-
Vitamin A	Vitamin A	-
Zinc	Zinc	-
Vitamin A + Zinc	Vitamin A	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Incidence of placental malaria	Delivery	Placental infection status will be categorized as infected if there are asexual parasites in the placenta blood; not infected if the placental blood smear is negative; or status unknown if no placental smear is available.
Low birth weight	Delivery	Low birth weight will be defined as birth weight less than 2500 grams.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maternal anemia	Delivery	Anemia is defined as hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl. Severe anemia is less than 8.5 g/dl.
Perinatal death	at or after 28 weeks of gestation and in the first 7 days of life
Maternal malaria	During pregnancy	Maternal malaria will be defined as fever within the last 72 hours with any parasitemia on a peripheral blood smear.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Muhimbili University of Health And Allied Sciences; 🇹🇿 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania