Azithromycin for Infants in Mali to Reduce Mortality
Abstract
To the Editor: Despite global decreases in infant mortality, rates in West Africa remain high. In the LAKANA (Large-Scale Assessment of the Key Health-Promoting Activities of Two New Mass Drug Administration Regimens with Azithromycin) trial, a cluster-randomized trial by Haidara et al. (Oct. 16 issue) 1 that involved 1151 villages and 149,090 infants, mass administration of azithromycin — whether twice yearly or quarterly — did not result in lower mortality than placebo. These findings challenge previous expectations and underscore the multifactorial nature of infant survival. Azithromycin is active against mycoplasma, chlamydia, and other bacterial pathogens and has immunomodulatory properties, yet most . . .
Fields of Study & Subjects
Neonatal and Maternal Infections
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
Global Maternal and Child Health
Publication details
- Journal / source
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Volume
- 394
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 203–205
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN