Implications of H1N1 influenza during pregnancy <br><b>Abstract in English</b>

Abstract

AIMS: To review the possible factors presented in the literature for the high morbidity and mortality among pregnant women, when affected by the influenza A (H1N1) virus. SOURCE OF DATA: A literature search was performed using the databases Medline/PubMed, SciELO and LILACS, using the key words pregnancy, immune system, influenza A virus subtype H1N1 and risk factors, delimited to the period 1996 to 2011. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: The A/H1N1 influenza is caused by an influenza virus emerged in Mexico in 2009 and quickly spread throughout the world. This epidemic resulted in several cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome and a significant number of deaths. The H1N1 influenza virus more severely struck the members of risk groups such as pregnant women, children under two years, elderly over 60 years, immunocompromised patients and those with chronic comorbidities. The particular conditions of pregnancy such as immunological, anatomical and functional changes, expose pregnant women to an increased risk of serious cardiac and respiratory complications, which can lead to death. CONCLUSIONS: studies indicate that the possible factors of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women affected by the influenza virus A/H1N1 were: respiratory distress syndrome in adults, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, secondary bacterial pneumonia and renal failure. In addition, complications during pregnancy tend to occur more in the second and third trimester. Preventive measures and adequate treatment are likely to decrease the number of future cases of influenza A/H1N1.