A case series of scrub typhus in obstetrics

Abstract

Scrub typhus is endemic and re-emerging in eastern and southern Asia. Illness varies from mild and self-limiting to fatal. Only few studies were published about its effect in maternal and neonatal outcome. A retrospective analysis was done in six prenatal and two postnatal women with scrub typhus. Details about clinical presentation, investigations, treatment given, response to treatment and pregnancy outcome were collected. The common symptoms were fever with chills, vomiting, myalgia, headache and abdominal pain. Typical features of eschar and lymphadenopathy were noted in only two cases. Two patients presented with jaundice and altered liver function test. Two patients presented with breathlessness. One patient developed oligohydramnios. Two postnatal women developed scrub typhus following blood transfusion for postpartum haemorrhage. Because of its high prevalence, scrub typhus should be included in fever investigations in endemic areas, even in the absence of eschar. Early diagnosis of cases will help in less severe organ damage and easy recovery with antibiotics. Few evidences state that scrub typhus can spread through blood transfusion. Correlation between blood transfusion and scrub typhus has to be further evaluated.

Keywords: Complications; Pregnancy; Scrub typhus.