A review of fetal and infant protection associated with antenatal influenza immunization

Abstract

The well-described burden of influenza morbidity in the pregnant woman and her young infant have led to increasing interest in the use of antenatal immunization to protect both the mother and the infant. In this review, we summarize the recent data on the effect of antenatal influenza infection, and influenza immunization, on mothers and infants. Antenatal influenza immunization can improve intrauterine growth in Asia and North America and reduce preterm deliveries. Studies of the pathogenetic process of influenza infection in the mother and fetus are needed. These findings suggest the wider use of antenatal immunization should be encouraged, including in low-resource regions. Creative approaches to antenatal influenza immunization policy should be developed to provide protection to the maternal, fetal, and infant triad in temperate and tropical regions.