Antibiotics taken during pregnancy may reduce preterm births

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June 4, 2025, 9:00 PM

• •A study in Zimbabwe found that a daily dose of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, a commonly used antibiotic, may have led to fewer premature births among pregnant women, particularly those with HIV.
• •The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved nearly 1,000 pregnant women and showed a 40% reduction in preterm births in the antibiotic group.
• •Researchers are now calling for further trials in different settings to confirm these findings and explore the potential of this low-cost intervention to reduce preterm births globally.

A study conducted in Zimbabwe involving almost 1,000 pregnant women suggests that a daily dose of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, a common and inexpensive antibiotic, may reduce the risk of premature births. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found a significant reduction in preterm births among women receiving the antibiotic, especially those with HIV. While birth weight did not significantly differ, the study indicates a promising potential for this treatment to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce child mortality, prompting calls for further trials.

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