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Table 15 Impact of ITNs on stillbirth and perinatal mortality

From: Reducing stillbirths: prevention and management of medical disorders and infections during pregnancy

Source

Location and Type of Study

Intervention

Stillbirths/Perinatal Outcomes

Reviews and meta-analyses

Gamble et al. 2006 Gamble et al. 2007 [161, 203]

Kenya.

Meta-analysis (Cochrane). 5 RCTs included.

To compare the impact of ITNs (permethrin 500 g/m2 except in one trial that used cyfluthrin; intervention) vs. untreated nets or no nets (control) in preventing malaria in pregnancy. All African trials gave double- or family-sized nets to each household, vs. single-sized nets in Thailand.

Fetal death (3 RCTs):

RR = 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48–0.98, P = 0.04) in all gravidae

RR = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.47–0.97, P = 0.03) in low gravidae (1–2 pregnancies)

RR = 1.02 (95% CI: 0.17–6.23, P = 0.98) [NS] in high gravidae (> 4 pregnancies)

Birth weight: Mean increase: 50 g (95% CI: 20–90 g) in women with 1–2 prior pregnancies.

LBW (1 RCT): RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.98) in women with 1–2 prior pregnancies

Placental malaria: RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63–0.98).

Fetal death (with untreated nets as control group, 1 RCT): RR = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.05–0.92) in all gravidae

[2/102 vs. 10/97 in intervention vs. control groups, respectively.]