Does dolutegravir raise the risk of birth defects? eswatini study investigates
NCT ID NCT05883761
First seen Sep 10, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are tracking birth outcomes for infants born in Eswatini to mothers who took dolutegravir or other HIV drugs around the time of conception. The study compares rates of neural tube defects and other birth defects among babies born to HIV-positive women on dolutegravir, HIV-positive women on other HIV drugs, and HIV-negative women. About 50,000 deliveries are included, with detailed interviews and medical record reviews for a smaller group. The goal is to understand whether dolutegravir is linked to a higher risk of birth defects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dolutegravir, an HIV drug
- What this could lead to
- If dolutegravir turns out to be as safe for developing babies as other HIV drugs, this could reassure women and doctors about using it during pregnancy.
- What could go wrong
- This observational study cannot prove cause and effect, and birth defects have many possible causes. The findings may not apply to other countries or populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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50,075 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Finished
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Sep 2023
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Women delivering infants at selected hospitals in Eswatini, including women delivering stillborn infants and those admitted for miscarriages or medical abortions due to identified congenital defects via diagnostic imaging
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Surveillance component includes all deliveries/admissions as defined in study population description. For a subset of the population recruited for additional data collection: Inclusion Criteria: * women whose live or stillborn infant has birth defect as identified by a midwife or other clinician at the study hospital * willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * unable to provide informed consent
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Good Shepherd Hospital
Siteki, Lubombo Region, Eswatini
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Hlathikhulu Hospital
Hlatikulu, Shiselweni, Eswatini
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Mankayane Government Hospital
Manzini, Eswatini
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Mbabane Government Hospital
Mbabane, Eswatini
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Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital
Manzini, Eswatini
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