Prevention of post-caesarean infections in low resource countries: is a single dose as adequate as a multiple dose antibiotic regiment? A randomised controlled trial

Is the administration of a single prophylactic dose of ampicillin and metronidazole before caesarean section as effective as a multiple day regimen of these antibiotics to prevent postpartum maternal infection in a low resource setting? A randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN06127083

Enrollment

160

Registered

2008-02-05

Start date

2008-01-21

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Post-operative infection after caesareans Infections and Infestations Post-operative infection

Interventions

Group 1: ampicillin 1000 mg and metronidazole 500 mg intravenous 20 minutes prior to caesarean section Group 2: ampicillin 1000 mg and metronidazole 500 mg intravenous 20 minutes prior to caesarean s

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Female

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Delivery through caesarean section 2. Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Use of antibiotics in the last week 2. Known allergy for any of the antibiotics used 3. Greater than 24 hour rupture of membranes 4. Evident infection or fever pre- or during operation

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The presence of fever, endometritis, urinary tract infection, wound infection or other serious infections (such as pelvic abscess, peritonitis, sepsis). Timepoint of evaluation is on discharge (see interventions section): an independent doctor will review the wound and score the wound healing and record if any complication arose or additional antibiotics were given.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
No secondary outcome measures	—

Countries

Tanzania

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026