Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
The 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic caused an increase in complications in pregnant women. To be well prepared for a next pandemic, we investigated the obstetric and maternal complications of this pandemic. In our national cohort of 59 pregnant women who were admitted to the hospital, no major complications apart from preterm birth and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were observed. Although the small size of this study precludes us drawing any definitive conclusions, comparing our results with those in other countries suggests that the influenza A/H1N1 pandemic had a relatively benign course in pregnant women in The Netherlands.
Introduction
Both during and after the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic, several authors have reported worldwide an increased risk of complications in pregnant women with 2009 influenza A/H1N1 infection, like pneumonia, pre-term birth or even maternal death. Previous flu pandemics showed the identical increased risks.
Although in August 2010 the World Health Organization announced the disease to be post-pandemic, viral mutations possibly representing the start of an antigenic drift have already been reported. To be well prepared for a next influenza pandemic, we investigated maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women infected by this novel influenza virus and who were admitted to the hospital during the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in The Netherlands.