Dengue infection during pregnancy and adverse maternal, fetal, and infant health outcomes in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil, 2007-2012

Abstract

The effects of dengue infection during pregnancy have not been previously studied in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the risks of maternal, fetal, and infant complications resulting from dengue infection during pregnancy. The study compared two cohorts of pregnant women, exposed versus unexposed to dengue virus, from 2007 to 2012. Incidence rates and risk ratios were estimated for maternal, fetal, and infant complications. In the exposed cohort there were 3 fetal deaths and 5 neonatal deaths. Two maternal deaths were identified in the exposed cohort, as opposed to none in the unexposed group (p = 0.040). The exposed cohort showed a risk ratio (RR) of 3.4 (95%CI: 1.02-11.23) for neonatal death. The risk ratio for early neonatal death was 6.8 (95%CI: 1.61-28.75). Ten infant deaths occurred in children of exposed pregnant women and 7 in unexposed (RR = 6.0; 95%CI: 2.24-15.87). Women infected with dengue virus in pregnancy showed increased risk ratio for maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality.