Pregnant women with swine flu 'at extra risk'

Published on Wednesday 29 July 2009 22:06

PREGNANT women who contract swine flu are four times more likely to be admitted to hospital than other members of the population, new research has revealed.

The findings, based on the experience in the United States, suggest that pregnancy places women at extra risk of serious complications from the virus.

Experts, writing in The Lancet, said the findings reinforced the need to treat infected pregnant women with antiviral drugs "as soon as possible". They also said the women should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Fears about the flu threat to pregnant women have been highlighted by the case of Sharon Pentleton, from Ayrshire, who is receiving specialist care in Sweden.

She was flown to a hospital in Stockholm after no beds were available at the only UK unit capable of treating her. Ms Pentleton, 26, is having her blood circulated through a machine and oxygenated. Her condition is "critical but stable".

Two other women in the UK have died with swine flu shortly after giving birth.

The new research was carried out by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that 32 per cent of pregnant women were admitted to hospital, a rate more than four times higher than that seen in the general population.