English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dengue fever is a vector-borne disease common in the tropics. It is known to have an adverse effect on pregnant women with unfavourable foetal outcomes. However, only a few studies are addressing this problem. Many of the studies had confounding factors such as the simultaneous occurrence of other vector-borne diseases and maternal health conditions. Therefore, the actual impact of dengue fever on pregnancy and pregnancy outcome is not clear. We wanted to study maternal and foetal outcomes in dengue positive pregnant females. METHODS This is a retrospective study done over 6 months in a tertiary care institute. Data regarding demography, obstetric history, biochemical parameters / blood investigation and pregnancy outcomes were collected and analysed. RESULTS Most of the dengue positive women presented with fever and thrombocytopenia in 44 % of cases. Obstetric complications such as preterm labour, abruption and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) were common. Caesarean section rate was increased and the most common indication was foetal distress. The need for new-born intensive care unit (NICU) admission for new-born and foetal death was also increased. No evidence of congenital anomaly was found in the study. CONCLUSIONS Antenatal complications like preeclampsia, oligohydramnios; intrapartum complications like abruption, DIC, foetal distress and immediate postpartum complications like postpartum haemorrhage, need for blood, platelet transfusion were common in women with a history of dengue fever especially more in the low platelet group. The maternal and foetal outcomes were compromised and both required intensive care. A high index of clinical suspicion is essential in pregnant women presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia. Early diagnosis and management are essential. KEY WORDS Dengue Fever, Dengue in Pregnancy, Complications of Dengue Fever in Pregnancy