Pneumonia in the Pregnant Patient

Abstract

Pneumonia is an infrequent yet serious complication of pregnancy. It is the third most frequent cause of obstetric death. Disease in the pregnant host impacts both mother and fetus adding to morbidity and mortality in this population. The pregnant host is at greater risk of infection than her nonpregnant counterpart because of the accompanying immunosuppression of pregnancy. Series to date have shown that the etiologic pathogens seen in the pregnant pneumonia patient are similar to those seen in the nonpregnant patient of comparable age. However, it is apparent that infection with any of these agents represents a greater hazard to the pregnant woman because of her physiologic defects in cell-mediated immunity. Careful management and vigilance to the vulnerability of the pregnant host will prevent some pneumonias, particularly influenza and aspiration pneumonia. As in any illness in the pregnant patient safety of antimicrobial therapy is paramount and leads to some differences in choice of therapy compared to the nonpregnant.