Antibiotics & Preterm Birth: Pregnancy Study
- A recent study conducted in Zimbabwe suggests that a common and affordable antibiotic could play a significant role in reducing preterm births.
- The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, addresses the global concern of preterm births, which affect one in four live-born infants worldwide.
- Professor Andrew Prendergast from Queen Mary University of London and Bernard Chasekwa from the Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research in Zimbabwe led the international research...
A groundbreaking study from Zimbabwe suggests that antibiotics, specifically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, may significantly lower the risk of preterm births. This research indicates the potential of this affordable drug to reduce premature deliveries, offering hope for improved outcomes, especially among mothers living with HIV. The trial, involving nearly 1,000 pregnant women, revealed a notable decrease in preterm births in the antibiotic group. Researchers are eager to see this proven globally. News Directory 3 reports this crucial data.While further research is warranted to confirm these findings across different populations, the implications for newborn survival rates are ample. Discover what’s next in the global effort to combat preterm birth.
Antibiotics During Pregnancy May Reduce Preterm births
Updated June 4,2025
A recent study conducted in Zimbabwe suggests that a common and affordable antibiotic could play a significant role in reducing preterm births. The research, which focused on nearly 1,000 pregnant women, revealed that daily doses of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may lead to fewer premature deliveries. The findings are notably promising for women living with HIV, as the antibiotic was associated with larger babies and a decreased likelihood of preterm birth.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, addresses the global concern of preterm births, which affect one in four live-born infants worldwide. Prematurity is a leading cause of death in children under 5. Researchers sought to determine if the broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, could improve birth weights, decrease premature births, and enhance overall health outcomes for infants.
Professor Andrew Prendergast from Queen Mary University of London and Bernard Chasekwa from the Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research in Zimbabwe led the international research team. The trial involved 993 pregnant women from Shurugwi, Zimbabwe, who were given either 960 mg of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or a placebo daily. Researchers then monitored birth outcomes as part of their regular antenatal care.
While overall birthweight did not considerably differ between the two groups, the antibiotic group experienced a notable 40% reduction in preterm births. Specifically, 6.9% of mothers receiving the drug had preterm babies, compared to 11.5% in the placebo group. Notably,no women in the antibiotic group delivered before 28 weeks.
The impact was even more pronounced among the 131 women with HIV. Only 2% of births were preterm in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group, compared to 14% in the placebo group. Additionally, babies exposed to the antibiotic during pregnancy showed an average birth weight increase of 177 grams.
“Our trial, conducted within routine antenatal care and enrolling women predominantly from rural areas showed that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole did not improve birthweight, which was our main outcome. However, there was an intriguing suggestion that it may have improved the length of pregnancy and reduced the proportion of preterm births,” Chasekwa said.
“Our findings suggest that a low-cost, daily antibiotic, in a setting where infections like HIV are common, might reduce the risk of preterm births. We desperately need new strategies to prevent preterm births, which are the leading cause of under-5 child mortality,” said Prendergast.
“If we are to reduce child mortality globally, it is critical to reduce the risk of preterm births, especially in areas with limited access to neonatal intensive care units and resources. This is a promising study and while the primary outcome of birthweight was unaffected in the trial, the prospect that this treatment prevents preterm births warrants further study,” said Sophie Hawksworth, Senior Manager of Clinical Finding Research at Wellcome.
What’s next
Researchers emphasize the need for further trials in diverse settings to confirm whether trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can consistently reduce the risk of prematurity. This could represent a promising new avenue for improving newborn survival rates, especially in resource-limited areas.