This protocol applies to patients with gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) who are pregnant. Two distinct treatment priorities guide the approach: reducing the risk of vertical transmission to the fetus, and — where the mother's clinical condition is seriously compromised — preserving the mother's life.
Pregnancy substantially changes how gambiense HAT is managed. Both the stage of pregnancy and the severity of the mother's illness are central to treatment selection. Certain antiparasitic agents can be used after the first trimester, making gestational timing a direct factor in the treatment path.
After the first trimester, specific antiparasitic therapy can be initiated with the primary goal of reducing vertical transmission risk. When the pregnant patient's general condition is moderately or severely altered, the treatment objective shifts to saving the mother's life, and a different set of regimen options applies. The full decision criteria, drug selection, and escalation pathway are in the complete protocol.