Ventilator management in pregnant patients with H1N1 infection: Two case reports

Abstract

The outbreak of H1N1, a virus of swine origin was detected in Mexico in late March and early April 2009. World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009 reported that 195 countries have reported confirmed human cases of H1N1. This pandemic virus infection though was self limited mild to moderate disease; there were reports of fatal complications especially in children and young adults. There was little or no immunity to this virus by humans and this virus targeted lower respiratory tract and caused pneumonia which was rapidly progressing. Approximately 10-30% of those infected with H1N1 required intensive care. Though the pandemic was declared to be over in August 2010, the concern of clinical management of H1N1 infected patient still remains challenging. The differences in presentation, clinical course and ventilatory management of two cases with pregnancy as a risk factor for complicated H1N1 infection are compared in this case report.