Maternal and Fetal Outcome of Fever in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcome of fever in pregnancy. METHODS The present study was a prospective observational study conducted from April 2012 - March 2014 among patients in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Institute, and they were followed up to the time of delivery to determine the maternal and foetal outcome. This is a prospective study and sample size was 120 patients. All patients admitted with fever irrespective of the gestational age and parity were included in the study. The ethical committee of Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital approved the study. Reference CSP-MED / 13 / AUG / 08 / 47. RESULTS Fever in pregnancy nearing term has been associated with adverse outcomes. Even elevated temperature in the first trimester can lead to fetal loss. Urinary tract infection was the most common infection during pregnancy. E. coli was the most common organism isolated. Other aetiologies encountered were dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, leptospirosis, enteric fever, H1N1, Influenza A viral fever, respiratory tract infections, and chicken pox. The most frequently seen adverse outcome in this study was abortion. There was one maternal mortality due to H1N1 and one neonatal mortality due to dengue haemorrhagic fever which was transmitted to the fetus. There was one fetus with multiple anomalies and the mother had a history of chicken pox in the first trimester. There were 15 cases of premature rupture of membrane and 12 cases had preterm labour. Intrapartum fever was associated with postpartum haemorrhage and meconium-stained liquor in some mothers. CONCLUSIONS Fever during pregnancy can potentially lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes even at a low-grade temperature of a short duration of less than a week. Even elevated temperature in the first trimester can lead to fetal loss. Fever in pregnancy nearing term has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Some virulent organisms can lead to fetal anomalies and maternal death.