Coartem Baby: First Malaria Drug For Newborn

Swiss authorities have approved Coartem Baby, the first-ever malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and very young children.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites and spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is common in tropical regions, but is preventable and treatable.
Malaria does not spread from person to person, though it can also be transmitted through infected blood or contaminated needles.
Five species of Plasmodium infect humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi.
If left untreated, especially in cases of P. falciparum, P. Vivax infection, it can lead to severe illness or even death within 24 hours.
Symptoms: Fever, chills and headache, fatigue etc.

According to 2023 data cited by the BBC, malaria caused around 597,000 deaths, with nearly 75% of those being children under five, most of them in Africa.
This fills a long-standing treatment gap for infants under 4.5 kg, a group previously without safe, approved malaria therapies.

Developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
Child-Friendly Formulation: Designed to dissolve easily, even in breast milk.
- Has a sweet cherry flavour to ease administration for infants.
Coartem Baby contains artemether-lumefantrine, the global standard antimalarial since 1999.
Lower dosing ratio of artemether-lumefantrine is tailored for immature liver function in newborns (2–5 kg range).
Eliminates the need for crushed pills or makeshift dosing, ensuring cleaner, safer delivery and better compliance.

Until now, there were no approved malaria drugs for babies under 4.5 kg.
Infants were previously treated with formulations meant for older children, which posed risks of overdose and toxicity.
Coartem Baby provides a safe, tailored dosage that accounts for newborn metabolism and weight.

Proven in Phase II/III trials across African nations including Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Zambia, and DRC.
Trials confirmed safety and efficacy for infants under 5 kg, factoring in their unique pharmacokinetics.

Prevention and Treatment of Malaria

Prevention includes use of mosquito nets, repellents (DEET, IR3535, Icaridin), long-sleeved clothing, coils, vaporizers, window screens, and chemoprophylaxis for travellers.
Early diagnosis and treatment using microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are essential.
Treatment protocols:
- Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) for P. falciparum.
- Plasmodium vivax: Treated with Chloroquine (where effective)
- Primaquine to prevent relapses in P. vivax and P. ovale.
- Severe malaria requires injectable antimalarials in hospital settings.
Vaccine: The WHO has approved two vaccines—RTS,S (Mosquirix) and R21.

National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030): Aligns with WHO’s Global Strategy; aims for zero indigenous malaria cases in India by 2030, with an internal target of elimination by 2027.
National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017–2022): Shifted focus from control to elimination, targeting malaria elimination in 571 of 678 districts by 2022.
Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India): ICMR-led initiative bringing together stakeholders to promote research and coordinated efforts in malaria elimination.
High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) Initiative: Launched in 2019 across four high-burden states to intensify interventions, including LLIN distribution, leading to significant reduction in malaria cases.
National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): Flagship programme for integrated prevention and control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases like JE, dengue, and kala-azar.

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