title: Pandemic influenza and pregnant women.
abstract: Planning for a future influenza pandemic should include considerations specific to pregnant women. First, pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-associated illness and death. The effects on the fetus of maternal influenza infection, associated fever, and agents used for prophylaxis and treatment should be taken into account. Pregnant women might be reluctant to comply with public health recommendations during a pandemic because of concerns regarding effects of vaccines or medications on the fetus. Guidelines regarding nonpharmaceutical interventions (e.g., voluntary quarantine) also might present special challenges because of conflicting recommendations about routine prenatal care and delivery. Finally, healthcare facilities need to develop plans to minimize exposure of pregnant women to ill persons, while ensuring that women receive necessary care.
authors.affiliation: National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. skr9@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Sonja A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Denise J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jamieson
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bresee
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines