Dengue infection in pregnancy

Abstract

Dengue infection is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries including India. When this viral infection is not asymptomatic it is diagnosed as dengue fever (DF) dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome. Dengue infection is generally encountered in children younger than 15 years but pregnant women can also be infected. The effect of dengue infection on pregnant women and their fetuses is unclear although several cases and case series have been reported in Refs. During an epidemic of dengue in northern India 8 pregnant women were found to be infected over a period of 6 months (June to November 2005). Infection was present in all trimesters of pregnancy. Diagnosis was straightforward with fever and a classic rash in all of the women but one patient 8 who was mistakenly diagnosed with hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Serologic studies confirmed dengue infection in all but the woman misdiagnosed with HELLP. However this patient tested positive for dengue infection after delivery. Those diagnosed with dengue fever during pregnancy responded to rest and paracetamol treatment. (excerpt)