MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOME OF DENGUE FEVER IN PREGNANCY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted viral infection, which is a threat to health services. Concern regarding pregnant women becoming infected with dengue is on rise. They seem to be more likely present with severe forms of infection. During the epidemic in our region we found out that only few studies has mentioned the association of dengue with oligohydramnios. Also association of low birth weight is due to shorter period of gestation and not due to growth restriction. With this background, we conducted the study using two groups, group I with dengue fever and group II uncomplicated. Dengue infection resulted in premature birth, low birth weight, fetal distress, neonatal ICU admissions. Severe thrombocytopenia was one of the striking features, which had led to multiple platelet transfusions. ICU admissions and coagulation abnormalities were very high in dengue complicated group. Oligohydramnios seen during dengue fever was transient and had no impact on pregnancy on follow up. Fetal distress was the major indication for emergency C-Section. Patients, who reported late, had more complications and prolonged hospital stay. This increased the burden on our health services. So our recommendations are early diagnosis, hydration and symptomatic treatment. Our study results will be used to create awareness among the antenatal patients, during antenatal classes and stressing on the morbidity of the disease, because always prevention is better than cure