Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in pregnant women: impact of early diagnosis and antiviral treatment

Abstract

Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe illness from influenza infection, particularly pandemics, including the current flu pandemic. Early antiviral therapy using oseltamivir or zanamivir may be beneficial, but limited information is available regarding their safety and effectiveness during pregnancy. The article by Siston et al. assessed the findings of a recently published paper describing the severity of illness due to 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection among 788 pregnant women reported to the CDC, stratified by timing of antiviral therapy and pregnancy trimester at symptom onset. The authors' findings highlight the potential for severe illness and high risk of mortality due to influenza A (H1N1) infection among pregnant women and suggest the benefit of early antiviral treatment in reducing intensive care unit admissions and mortality rate. The WHO and CDC recommendations including 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccination and early antiviral therapy in case of influenza-like illness for all pregnant women are discussed regarding the key findings of this paper and other published data on influenza A (H1N1) infection in pregnant women.