Background. Malaria infection especially with plasmodium falciparum during pregnancy is an enormous public health problem with substantial risk for the mother and her baby. Intermittent sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTP - SP) is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in order to prevent adverse effect of malaria in pregnancy. The duration of prophylactic effect of sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine is compromised particularly by resistance. In a study conducted in Kenya, two doses of sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine did not provide maximal benefits. With the alarming recent increase in resistance to sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine, there is a need to evaluate the current two doses of intermittent sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine preventive treatment. Aim. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of two doses with that of three doses of intermittent sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine preventive treatment. Methodology. The study is a comparative experimental study involving 352 pregnant women who booked at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Simple random sampling was used. At 16-24 week gestation, clients had their blood sample checked for malaria parasitaemia and haemoglobin level estimated. Inclusion criteria were consenting pregnant women who had negative smear for malaria parasite at 16-24 week gestation and haemoglobin level > 8g/dl. One group (cases) had three doses of sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine and the second group (controls) had two doses of sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine. All the women were encouraged to use insecticide treated nets (ITNs). At delivery, maternal haemoglobin, maternal malaria parasitaemia, cord malaria parasitaemia, placental malaria parasitaemia and birth weights were determined. Data were entered into personal computer and analyzed using Minitab computer statistical software. Means and proportions were compared using t – test and chi – square test respectively. Significant was considered at p – value of 0.05. Outcome measures. Maternal haemoglobin, maternal malaria parasitaemia, cord malaria parasitaemia, placental malaria parasitaemia and birth weights.