CDC Says Benefits Of H1N1 Flu Treatment For Pregnant Women Outweigh Potential Risks

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 14 May 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Tuesday that pregnant women who show symptoms of the H1N1 influenza, also known as the swine flu, receive the antiviral drug Tamiflu to avoid potentially serious complications, the New York Times reports. During pregnancy, flu viruses create a high risk for complications, including pneumonia, dehydration and premature labor. Tamiflu, made by Roche, normally is not recommended for use in pregnant women because its effects on the fetus are unknown. However, CDC medical officer Denise Jamieson said "the benefit of giving Tamiflu outweighs the risk" for pregnant women who show flu symptoms and potentially came in contact with someone with the H1N1 virus. Jamieson explained that, as with most medications, safety data on the use of antiviral drugs in pregnancy are limited because pregnant women are not involved in clinical trials. However, Tamiflu and GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza, a similar drug in powder form, are "fairly safe in pregnancy," she said (McNeil, New York Times, 5/13).

Anne Schuchat, the interim deputy director for public health at CDC, said that pregnancy weakens the immune system, which increases the chance that pregnant women with the flu will develop pneumonia. In past pandemics, infection also was tied with premature birth, Schuchat said. Pregnant women with asthma or other health conditions have an especially high risk for complications if they contract flu viruses. The AP/NorthJersey.com reports that it is not currently known whether pregnant women are at a greater risk than the general population for contracting H1N1, which so far has not proven to be much more dangerous than seasonal flu (AP/NorthJersey.com, 5/13).

According to CDC and the World Health Organization, case histories of H1N1 in Mexico and the U.S. suggest that pregnancy is emerging as a risk factor for the virus, nearing the risk level of asthma, diabetes, immunosuppression and cardiovascular disease. A pregnant woman was one of three individuals who have died from the H1N1 flu virus in the U.S., and there are about 20 confirmed or probable cases of the virus involving pregnant women, CDC reports. A few of these cases have had "severe complications," Schuchat said (New York Times, 5/13). The recommendation for pregnant women was included in the CDC's daily H1N1 report, which said that the U.S. case count on Tuesday was up to 3,009, with an additional 600 "probable" cases (Dooren, Wall Street Journal, 5/13).

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