Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Caused by 2009 H1N1 Influenza during Pregnancy: Success of ECMO for Both the Mother and the Child

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique that provides support to selected patients with severe respiratory failure. During the 2009 H1N1 influenza infection outbreak, ECMO was used with a good impact on survival for pregnant women, who are at higher risk of H1N1 influenza infection. However, there is little information about the survival of fetus post-ECMO therapy in the literature. We present a case report of a pregnant patient with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome secondary to 2009 H1N1 influenza treated with ECMO. The outcome was good both for the mother and her fetus. At 1-year follow-up, her child had no neurological or clinical abnormalities. We conclude that ECMO can be used safely during pregnancy with a good neurological and clinical outcome for the fetus.