Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Jul 13;218(4):528-535.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy167.

A Cross-sectional Surveillance Study of the Frequency and Etiology of Acute Respiratory Illness Among Pregnant Women

Anne M Hause  1   2 , Vasanthi Avadhanula  1 , Maurizio L Maccato  1   3   4 , Phillip M Pinell  1   3   4 , Nanette Bond  1 , Patricia Santarcangelo  1 , Laura Ferlic-Stark  1 , Flor M Munoz  1   3 , Pedro A Piedra  1   3
Affiliations

A Cross-sectional Surveillance Study of the Frequency and Etiology of Acute Respiratory Illness Among Pregnant Women

Anne M Hause et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Other than influenza, little is known about the consequences of viral acute respiratory illness (ARI) on pregnant women and fetuses. Our objectives were to determine the frequency of ARI due to respiratory viruses and the associated clinical outcomes during pregnancy.

Methods: Pregnant women in their second or third trimester were enrolled if they reported having symptoms of ARI or were healthy within the preceding 2 weeks. Nasopharyngeal secretions were evaluated for respiratory viruses by molecular diagnostic assays. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at enrollment and via a follow-up telephone-based questionnaire 2 weeks later.

Results: There were 155 pregnant participants, with 81 ARI cases and 91 healthy controls. Acute lower respiratory tract illness (ALRTI) was identified in 29 cases (36%). Human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza virus accounted for 75% of virus-positive cases of ALRTI. Cases with ALRTI often reported a longer duration of illness, history of allergies, symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, and use of prescription medication. Two cases with ALRTI reported decreased fetal movement; a third case with ALRTI was hospitalized.

Conclusions: In over one third of ARI cases, participants had symptoms consistent with ALRTI. Infection with HRV, RSV, or influenza virus was commonly detected in patients with ALRTI. Viral ALRTI during pregnancy appears to be common and is associated with significant morbidity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Results of real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis to detect respiratory pathogens, by acute upper respiratory tract illness (AURTI) or acute lower respiratory tract illness (ALRTI) status, with or without self-reported fever. aHuman metapneumovirus, Bordetella pertussis, or parainfluenza virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Nair H, Nokes DJ, Gessner BD, et al. . Global burden of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children: a systematic review and meta- analysis Lancet 2010; 375:1545–55. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Glezen WP, Taber LH, Frank AL, Kasel JA. Risk of primary infection and reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus. Am J Dis Child 1986; 140:543–6. - PubMed
    1. Chi H, Chang I-S, Tsai F-Y, et al. . Epidemiological study of hospitalization associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection in Taiwanese children between 2004 and 2007. J Formos Med Assoc 2011; 110:388–96. - PubMed
    1. Walsh EE, Falsey AR. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult populations. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2012; 12:98–102. - PubMed
    1. Goodrum LA. Pneumonia in pregnancy. Semin Perinatol 1997; 21:276–83. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms