Azithromycin to prevent acute lower respiratory infections among Australian and New Zealand First Nations and Timorese children (PETAL trial): study protocol for a multicentre, international, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) remain the leading causes of repeated hospitalisations among young disadvantaged Australian and New Zealand First Nations and Timorese children. Severe (hospitalised) and recurrent ALRIs in the first years of life are associated with future chronic lung diseases (eg, bronchiectasis) and impaired lung function. Despite the high burden and long-term consequences of severe ALRIs, clinical, evidence-based and feasible interventions (other than vaccine programmes) that reduce ALRI hospitalisations in children are limited. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will address this unmet need by trialling a commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotic (azithromycin) for 6-12 months. Long-term azithromycin was chosen as it reduces ALRI rate

SUBMITTER: McCallum GB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11800299 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature