May 27, 2010
The Question
What is the impact of antimalarial intermittent preventive treatment (IPT), treating at regular intervals regardless of infection status?
What we found
Partially resistant parasites tend to spread where the transmission rates are low and fully resistant parasites where the rates are high. While IPT of infants (IPTi) may accelerate the spread of resistance, it only does so significantly in areas of low unstable transmission.
Why it matters
Preventative treatment, regardless of infection status, is currently employed for pregnant women. An extension of the policy to infant treatment is being explored. It is important to understand the implication to resistance of implementing the strategy.
