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Study details H1N1 effects on pregnant women
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 7, 2010
Pregnant women with influenza A(H1N1) are at risk for obstetrical complications, including fetal distress, premature delivery, emergency cesarean delivery and fetal death, according to a study published in the May 24 Archives of Internal Medicine.
Researchers analyzed data on 18 women in advanced stages of pregnancy who were admitted to two urban medical centers in New York with H1N1 between May 18 and June 24, 2009 (link).
A variety of symptoms was reported by patients. Cough was reported by 67%, and 56% had shortness of breath and a fever. Half of the women had gastrointestinal complaints. All of the patients were treated with oseltamivir phosphate beginning at admission.
During hospitalization, seven patients delivered. Six of the babies were born prematurely, and four were emergency cesarean deliveries. There were two fetal deaths, which occurred at gestational age younger than 23 weeks. Three patients were admitted to the intensive care unit.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/06/07/prbf0607.htm.
