International Journal of Medicine Research

Authors
Harshitha Reddy, Velam Thennavan, Sharathchandra Rao

Abstract
Background: The increasing incidence of adult dengue fever has led to the increase in number of infected pregnant women. Dengue, during pregnancy may be associated with various complications like preterm delivery, fetal death, low birth weight, neonatal admissions, fetal anomalies, and miscarriage. Timely intervention can improve the maternal as well as fetal outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical profile, maternal and fetal outcome of dengue fever during pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out, among the antenatal patients who were diagnosed with serologically confirmed dengue fever during a period of 12 months (Jsan 2017 to Dec 2017); at a Tertiary care Hospital in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Patients were included irrespective of period of gestation of contracting the disease and were followed up till delivery and all babies were followed up to six weeks post-partum. Results: Thrombocytopenia(<1.5L/mm3) was found in 66.6%(n=40) patients, of which 8.2%(n=5) patients had Platelet count below 25,000 cells/mm3 and 8.2% patients required platelet transfusion. Other complications observed were spontaneous abortions (6.5%); preterm birth (9.5%), oligohydramnios (8.2%).Fetal distress and meconium stained amniotic fluid were observed in 7.6% Adverse fetal outcome observed were low birth weight (27.3%), prematurity (23%) Conclusions: The gestational age at presentation of dengue fever appeared to be significant. Early onset or late onset in pregnancy appeared to have a bad prognosis. A high suspicion is essential in any pregnant female with fever during epidemics especially in endemic areas like Tamil Nadu. Conservative medical and obstetrical management is the treatment of choice.