Obstretic Care and Management of H1N1 patients: Clinico-epidemiological Contemporary Case Analysis

Background: Influenza like illness caused by influenza A (H1N1), a quadruple reasserted influenza virus. It is an orthomyxovirus responsible for outbreak that occurred in state, Gujarat, India in year 2017. During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, pregnant women had higher morbidity and mortality comparing to non-pregnant women. Aim: To study the Obstetric care and Management of H1N1 pregnant women during an outbreak of H1N1 influenza. Methods: Retrospective data of 11 pregnant women with signs & symptoms corresponding to influenza like illness was collected and subjected to throat swab testing for H1N1. Epidemiological characteristics were analyzed in terms of clinical presentation and outcome. Results: 6 (45%) patients out of total 11 patients were confirmed (positive) for H1N1. Maximum 3 (60 %) patients were in third trimester of pregnancy and 2 (40%) patient was in second trimester of pregnancy. Fever (100%) and cough (100%) were common presenting symptoms. 1 (20 %) patient was put on mechanical ventilator but unfortunately she didn’t survive. Conclusion: Pregnant women might be at increased risk for complications from outbreak of H1N1 virus infection. Fever and cough were the most common symptoms in these pregnant women. Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and late presentation were a poor prognostic indicator in these patients. Early treatment with effective antiviral drugs like oseltamivir will decrease the mortality in H1N1 patients