Labour antibiotic may shield newborns from infections

NCT ID NCT03925480

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether giving mothers a single 2-gram dose of the antibiotic azithromycin during labour could reduce the risk of skin and soft tissue infections in their babies during the first three months of life. Over 2,000 pregnant women in Fiji took part, receiving either the antibiotic or a placebo. The goal was to see if this simple, one-time treatment could safely prevent common infant infections.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: azithromycin (an antibiotic)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to prevent common bacterial infections in newborns in resource-limited settings.
What could go wrong: This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to other settings or populations. Antibiotic resistance is a potential long-term concern.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bacterial infectious disease skin disease caused by bacterial infection prevention target skin infection prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Colonial War Memorial Hospital and Mother and Child Health Clinics

Suva, Central, Fiji

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