Smallpox: a disease of the past? Consideration for midwives.
Smallpox infection was often more severe in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women or in men, regardless of vaccination status. Women with smallpox infection during pregnancy have higher rates of abortions, stillbirths, and preterm deliveries than women without the disease. Pregnant women have high incidences of hemorrhagic-type and flat-type smallpox, which are associated with extremely high fatality rates. Although smallpox was eradicated in the late 1970s, current international concern exists regarding the potential use of smallpox virus as an agent for bioterrorism. This manuscript reviews clinical aspects of smallpox, smallpox immunization, and outcomes in pregnant women.
Constantin
Carolyn M
CM
Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-4207, USA.
Martinelli
Angela M
AM
Foster
Stanley O
SO
Bonney
Elizabeth A
EA
Strickland
Ora L
OL
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012899:Smallpox / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D012901:Variola virus / Q000302:isolation & purification
D012900:Smallpox Vaccine