Coartem Baby Latest News
In a major milestone, Swiss authorities have approved Coartem Baby, the first-ever malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and very young children.
About Coartem Baby
- It is a new drug specifically designed for infants weighing 2–5 kg (newborns to under 6 months) which has formulation of artemether and lumefantrine — that work together to fight the malaria parasite.
- It is developed by Novartis, in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the governments of Britain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the World Bank, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Previously, infants have used formulations meant for older children, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Eight African countries—Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda—participated in the assessment and clinical trials of Coartem Baby.
- Advantages of Coartem Baby: The formulation is designed to dissolve easily, including in breast milk, has a sweet cherry flavour to ease administration.
Key Facts about Malaria
- It is a life-threatening febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- The disease is not contagious, but can be spread through infected blood or contaminated needles.
- The most dangerous species are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
Symptoms and Risks
- Symptoms appear 10–15 days after infection and include fever, chills, and headache
- Severe symptoms can include seizures, difficulty breathing, jaundice, dark urine, and death if untreated.
- Partial immunity can develop in endemic regions, making diagnosis difficult in some patients.
Source: IE
Coartem Baby FAQs
Q1: What is Coartem syrup used for?
Ans: Coartem is commonly used to treat malaria.
Q2: Which is the first drug ever used to treat malaria?
Ans: Quinine
