Pregnant women and newborns 'most at risk from flu'

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Monday, 18th May 2009

More planning must be done to ensure pregnant women and newborns receive priority treatment in the event of a flu pandemic, it has been claimed.

Dr Richard Beigi, of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences at Magee-Women's Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, US, says the recent swine flu outbreak has heightened the health risks for vulnerable individuals.

He commented: "Although it is not clear how well modern medicine will be able to prevent devastation during a large-scale infectious disease outbreak, it is widely recognised that advance planning may lessen the negative impact."

Dr Beigi said this is "especially important" for pregnant women, foetuses and neonates, all of whom are "often left out of national level consideration".

He added: "Little data exist on the safety of vaccines and treatments to combat infectious disease in pregnant women and newborns."

Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus