H1N1 and Pregnancy

Background

Pregnant women are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to 2009 H1N1 influenza:

  • Pregnant women represent 6% of confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza deaths in the United States, while only about 1% of the general population is pregnant.
  • A dramatic increase in maternal deaths has been seen both locally and state-wide in California.
  • Pregnant women are also more likely than the general population to become severely ill from seasonal influenza with a 4-times increase in the rate of hospital and ICU admission.

Introduction

The goal of this portion of the website is to assemble in one spot H1N1 pregnancy resources that are scattered among many government and private sites.  The information is divided into the following sections:

Each section has a short discussion but users need to spend most of their time examining the Resources.  These include key CDC guidelines, information reports, patient education materials, key medical literature, State of California resources, as well as materials and slides from California universities and hospitals.  In addition, we are sharing an updated OB Grand Rounds Slide Set on H1N1 in Pregnancy.

California

The California Department of Public Health, MCAH, also has a useful website on H1N1 and pregnancy, that can be reached by clicking here.
California is also asking clinicians for help in identifying severely ill mothers (see California page).

CDC

CDC has extensive guidance available on their website regarding the care and treatment of pregnant women.  We have included their pregnancy related documents in our Resources.  Note that it is important to check directly with the CDC site on a regular basis as new recommendations come out frequently...

The CDC also has a hotline for questions about their guidance for pregnant women: 404-368-2133.  You will be directed to a subject matter expert.

Severe Influenza Case History Form (Pediatric and Adult ICU) for reporting purposes.