Flu virus in mothers linked to baby deaths
Midwives magazine: Issue 7 :: 2011
Baby deaths were five times higher among mothers infected with a strain of the flu virus, new research has revealed.
Flu virus linked to baby deaths
The study found an increase in babies being stillborn or dying shortly after birth if the mother had had the 2009 strain of the H1N1 flu virus.
It also revealed that infected mothers were more likely to have prematurely born babies.
Dr Marian Knight, who led the research, said the new evidence clearly shows the ‘severe consequences H1N1 flu infection can have in pregnancy’.
The study was carried out by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford and has prompted calls for pregnant women to be immunised in time for winter.
Louise Silverton, RCM deputy general secretary, said: ‘This study shows the importance of vaccinating all pregnant women against seasonal flu.
‘The RCM has advised its members to encourage pregnant women to be vaccinated and has also supported the campaigns for NHS staff to themselves be vaccinated thus protecting themselves, the women for whom they care and their own families.’
Out of 256 mothers infected with the H1N1 flu virus, the study found seven of the babies were stillborn and three died shortly after birth.
The findings equate to 39 babies in 1000 dying before or shortly after birth, compared to seven in 1000 in mothers not infected with the virus.
Within three weeks of vaccination a pregnant woman and her baby are well protected against H1N1 flu.
But in 2009 the uptake of the vaccine amongst pregnant mothers was low.
A total of 57% of pregnant women in a higher risk category were vaccinated and only 37% of others had the vaccination.
Janet Scott, research manager at Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, said: ‘The association between the H1N1 flu virus and a marked increase in the number of baby deaths is alarming.
‘I suspect many pregnant women have no idea that flu could potentially be a serious risk to their baby, yet early immunisation is an easy and effective way for mothers to protect themselves and their babies against the potential threat.
She added: ‘These statistics are very worrying, and as the flu season approaches we would urge pregnant mothers to go and see their GPs and get vaccinated.’
