RHL Commentary by E Farrell, RC Pattinson
EVIDENCE SUMMARY
The objective of the Cochrane review was to identify the most effective treatment regimen (in terms of dose, length of the antibiotic course and mode of administration) of syphilis in pregnant women, with or without concomitant HIV infection. Any trial using a random or quasi-random method of treatment allocation would be included in the review. However, no such trials could be identified.
The review highlights the fact that penicillin is proven to be effective in the treatment of syphilis in pregnancy and in the prevention of congenital syphilis. The optimal treatment regimen has not been established in clinical trials but the recommended standard penicillin dose is safe and effective in uncomplicated cases.
The methodology presented in the review seems appropriate. However, despite a comprehensive search no trials could be included.
The full RHL commentary also includes sections on: Relevance
- Magnitude of the problem
- Feasibility of the intervention
- Applicability of the results of the Cochrane Review
- Implementation of the intervention
- Research
References
This document should be cited as: E Farrell, RC Pattinson. Antibiotics for syphilis diagnosed during pregnancy: RHL commentary (last revised: 11 November 2002). The WHO Reproductive Health Library, No 9, Update Software Ltd, Oxford, 2006. www.rhlibrary.com
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