How is Chlamydia trachomatis typically treated in pregnant women?

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can pose risks during pregnancy, including complications such as preterm labor, low birth weight, and transmission to the neonate. The recommended treatment for Chlamydia in pregnant women is azithromycin 1 gram orally in a single dose.

Azithromycin is preferred because it is effective, well-tolerated, and can be administered as a single dose, which enhances adherence to the treatment. This is especially important in a pregnant population where maintaining treatment compliance is critical to ensuring both maternal and fetal health.

Other antibiotic options, though effective for chlamydial infections in general, are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential side effects or lack of sufficient research supporting their safety in pregnant women. For example, doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can affect fetal bone and tooth development, while erythromycin, although sometimes used, has a higher frequency of gastrointestinal side effects and may not be as effective in this context as azithromycin. Clindamycin, while effective for certain infections, is not indicated as a first-line treatment for chlamydia in pregnant women.

Thus, the guideline to treat pregnant women with a single dose of azithromycin reflects safety,