Ambulatory Treatment of Fast Breathing in Young Infants Aged <60 Days: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Equivalence Trial in Low-Income Settlements of Karachi.

ABSTRACT: (See the Editorial Commentary by Jehan and Qazi on pages 190-1) BACKGROUND: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness recommends that young infants with isolated fast breathing be referred to a hospital for antibiotic treatment, which is often impractical in resource-limited settings. Additionally, antibiotics may be unnecessary for physiologic tachypnea in otherwise well newborns. We tested the hypothesis that ambulatory treatment with oral amoxicillin for 7 days was equivalent (similarity margin of 3%) to placebo in young infants with isolated fast breathing in primary care settings where hospital referral is often unfeasible.

Methods

This randomized equivalence trial was conducted in 4 primary health centers of Karachi, Pakistan. Infants presenting with isolated fast breathing a

SUBMITTER: Tikmani SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5853586 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature