The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudySimplified antibiotic regimens for the management of clinically diagnosed severe infections in newborns and young infants in first-level facilities in Karachi, Pakistan: study design for an outpatient randomized controlled equivalence trial.
Infection in young infants is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-middle income countries, with high neonatal mortality rates. Timely case management is lifesaving, but the current standard of hospitalization for parenteral antibiotic therapy is not always feasible. Alternative, simpler antibiotic regimens that could be used in outpatient settings have the potential to save thousands of lives. ⋯ This trial will determine whether simplified antibiotic regimens with fewer injections in combination with high-dose amoxicillin are equivalent to 7 days of IM procaine penicillin and gentamicin in young infants with clinical severe infection. Results will have program and policy implications in countries with limited access to hospital care and high burden of neonatal deaths.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTreatment of fast breathing in neonates and young infants with oral amoxicillin compared with penicillin-gentamicin combination: study protocol for a randomized, open-label equivalence trial.
The World Health Organization recommends hospitalization and injectable antibiotic treatment for young infants (0-59 days old), who present with signs of possible serious bacterial infection. Fast breathing alone is not associated with a high mortality risk for young infants and has been treated with oral antibiotics in some settings. This trial was designed to examine the safety and efficacy of oral amoxicillin for young infants with fast breathing compared with that of an injectable penicillin-gentamicin combination. The study is currently being conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria. ⋯ The results of this study will help inform the development of policies for the treatment of fast breathing among neonates and young infants in resource-limited settings.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Sep 2013
ReviewAn innovative multipartner research program to address detection, assessment and treatment of neonatal infections in low-resource settings.
In pursuit of innovative approaches for the management of severe infections in young infants, which is a major cause of mortality, a multipartner research program was conceptualized to provide right care in the right place. The primary objective was to generate evidence and identify a simple, safe and effective treatment regimen for young infants with severe infections that can be provided closer to home by trained health workers where referral is not possible. ⋯ This research program facilitated innovative research in different geographical, cultural and administrative milieus to generate recommendations for policy.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialSafety and efficacy of simplified antibiotic regimens for outpatient treatment of serious infection in neonates and young infants 0-59 days of age in Bangladesh: design of a randomized controlled trial.
Because access to care is limited in settings with high mortality, exclusive reliance on the current recommendation of 7-10 days of parenteral antibiotic treatment is a barrier to provision of adequate treatment of newborn infections. ⋯ The trial builds upon previous studies of community case management of clinical severe infections in young infants conducted by our research team in Bangladesh. The approach although effective was not widely accepted in part because of feasibility concerns about the large number of injections. The proposed research that includes fewer doses of parenteral antibiotics if shown efficacious will address this concern.