Malaria News |
Combined iron/folic acid supplements and malaria prophylaxis reduce neonatal mortality in 19 sub-Saharan African countries 
In nonmalaria regions, iron/folic acid supplementation during pregnancy protects newborns against preterm delivery and early neonatal death. Other studies from malaria-endemic areas have reported an adverse effect of iron supplements on malaria prevalence in pregnant women. We examined the association between iron/folic acid supplements and prenatal antimalaria prophylaxis on neonatal mortality in malaria-endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
The use of antenatal iron/folic acid supplements combined with appropriate intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy is an important intervention to reduce neonatal mortality in malaria-endemic regions.
|