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Characteristics of pregnant women and puerperae with influenza-like illness during the A(H1N1) pandemic

Abstract:

Introduction In 2009, "Enrique Cabrera" hospital in La Habana was designated as the center of medical care to pregnant women and puerperae with influenza-like illness in the capital. Objective Clinical and epidemiological characterization of non-serious cases of pregnant women and puerperae admitted to the center. Methods Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted from July 2009 to June 2010. In this period, 2 793 patients were admitted of whom 2 693 pregnant and 100 puerperae. Results The mean age of the patients was 27 years (15-45), the gestational age was 29 (9.4-41) and the average length of stay was 5.7 days. Dry cough (66.6%), nasal congestion/secretion (57.5%) and headache (45.5%) were the most common symptoms. Six hundred twenty nine patients suffered complications (22.5%) being bronchopneumonia (12.6%) and persistent bronchial asthma (7.8%) the most common; additionally, the latter was the most frequent risk factor (12.6%). There were not deaths in this group of patients. Conclusions The epidemiological surveillance, the early diagnosis, the prompt and musticidisciplinary treatment in compliance with the set medical protocols in all cases were determining factors in the satisfactory results achieved in the fight against influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.