December 2026. Volume 22. Number 4

Permethrin-treated baby wraps: a shield against malaria

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Boyce RM, Shook-Sa BE, Ndizeye R, Baguma E, Giandomenico D, Cassidy CA, et al. Permethrin-Treated Baby Wraps for the Prevention of Malaria. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:1399-1408.

Reviewers: Cuestas Montañés EJ1, Oltra Benavent M2.
1Servicio de Pediatría y Neonatología. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Córdoba. Argentina.
2Sección de Patología Infecciosa Infantil. Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe. Valencia. España.
Correspondence: Eduardo José Cuestas Montañés. Email: eduardo.cuestas@gmail.com
Reception date: 28/09/2026
Acceptance date: 05/10/2026
Publication date: 14/10/2026

Abstract

Authors´ conclusions: among mother–child pairs who had access to bed nets, maternal use of permethrin-treated baby wraps significantly reduced the incidence of clinical malaria in the children.

Reviewers´ commentary: this high-quality randomized trial shows that permethrin-treated baby wraps significantly reduce clinical malaria episodes in infants in high-transmission settings. The observed absolute benefit supports their use as a complement to conventional control strategies, especially in populations with high disease burden and prevalent infant-carrying practices. However, before policy adoption, key issues must be addressed, including feasibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term safety. Particular attention is needed regarding repeated insecticide exposure and potential neurodevelopmental effects. Implementation studies and post-marketing surveillance are therefore warranted prior to widespread use.

How to cite this article

Cuestas Montañés E, Oltra Benavent M. Mantas portabebés impregnadas con permetrina: un escudo contra la malaria. Evid Pediatr. 2026;22:37.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Boyce RM, Shook-Sa BE, Ndizeye R, Baguma E, Giandomenico D, Cassidy CA, et al. Permethrin-Treated Baby Wraps for the Prevention of Malaria. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:1399-1408.

Reviewers: Cuestas Montañés EJ1, Oltra Benavent M2.
1Servicio de Pediatría y Neonatología. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Córdoba. Argentina.
2Sección de Patología Infecciosa Infantil. Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe. Valencia. España.
Correspondence: Eduardo José Cuestas Montañés. Email: eduardo.cuestas@gmail.com
Reception date: 28/09/2026
Acceptance date: 05/10/2026
Publication date: 14/10/2026

How to cite this article

Cuestas Montañés E, Oltra Benavent M. Mantas portabebés impregnadas con permetrina: un escudo contra la malaria. Evid Pediatr. 2026;22:37.

14/10/2026

Linked Comment

Methodological note