H1N1 influenza virus infection in pregnancy: A study of 32 cases

Abstract

Reports from the past pandemics (1918-1919) and the 2009 outbreak have shown that pregnant mothers are at risk of complications from the H1N1 influenza virus infection. This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical course of H1N1 infection in pregnancy, the maternal and perinatal outcome and the treatment efficacy of oseltamivir in H1N1 infected mothers. This is a descriptive study from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the case series were collected from September 2009 to December 2010. Influenza like illness (ILI) was suspected in 207 pregnant women, and the 32 cases who were positive for H1N1 influenza infection by RT PCR test were taken for this study. 90.6% were in the age group between 21 and 29 years of age and 34.4% were multigravid women. The most common presenting symptoms were fever and cough. Co-morbid conditions such as gestational hypertension, bronchial asthma and others were seen in 9 cases. In 53% of cases treatment was initiated with oseltamivir within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. All the patients recovered completely at the end of 5 days of treatment. There were no maternal or perinatal deaths.