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Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
Synopsis

Systematic Review of Avian Influenza Virus Infection and Outcomes during Pregnancy

Rachael PurcellComments to Author , Michelle L. Giles, Nigel W. Crawford, and Jim Buttery
Author affiliation: Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (R. Purcell, M.L. Giles); University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (R. Purcell, M.L. Giles, N.W. Crawford, J. Buttery); Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne (R. Purcell, N.W. Crawford, J. Buttery); Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne (R. Purcell, N.W. Crawford, J. Buttery); Monash University, Clayton (M.L. Giles); Global Vaccine Data Network, Auckland, New Zealand (J. Buttery)

Main Article

Table

Summary of included studies*

Reference Study design Country of origin Sample size Virus strain Diagnostic method Population Outcomes
(18) RSCS China, Egypt,
Indonesia 23 H7N9
 PCR
 10 pregnant women, mean age 28 y (range 20–35 y); GA at time of infection: trimester 1 (n = 3), trimester 2 (n = 4), trimester 3 (n = 3)
 9 maternal and 8 in utero fetal deaths. One infant born prematurely at 33 weeks GA to a mother who later died. The woman who survived was at 9-weeks GA at time of infection and her infant survived.
H5N1
 PCR
 13 pregnant women, mean age 24.8 y (range 20–35); GA at time of infection: trimester 1 (n = 1), trimester 2 (n = 7), trimester 3 (n = 2), unknown GA (n = 5)
 13 maternal and 12 in utero fetal deaths. Delivery of 1 infant via emergency caesarean section at 36 weeks GA before maternal death; infant was LBW (2.3 kg), was not infected, and survived.
(19)
 Case report
 Vietnam
 1
 A(H5N1) clade 1.1
 PCR and genome sequencing of tracheal aspirate (maternal); throat swabs, serum (neonate)
 26 years of age, 36 weeks GA; worked slaughtering poultry
 Maternal death, newborn survived. Premature birth with LBW and early onset pneumonia. Infant recovered by day 16 of life. PCR and serum specimens for H5N1 negative.
(20)
 Case report
 China
 1
 A(H5N1)
 PCR and genome sequencing of tracheal aspirate
 Age unknown, 16 weeks GA, who slaughtered sick poultry
 Maternal and in utero fetal death
(21)
 Case report
 China
 1
 A(H5N1)
 PCR
 Age and gestation unknown, had contact with poultry.
 Maternal and in utero fetal death
(22)
 Case report
 China
 1
 A(H5N6)
 PCR of throat swab, sputum
 40 years of age, 35 weeks GA; contact with poultry unknown
 Maternal survival; live birth of premature infant, 35 weeks GA. No infant infection
(23)
 Case report
 China
 1
 A(H7N9)
 PCR
 29 years of age, 27 weeks GA; contact with poultry unknown
 Maternal and in utero fetal death
(24)
 Case report
 China
 1
 A(H7N9)
 PCR of tracheal aspirate
 28 years of age, 26 weeks GA; contact with poultry unknown
 Maternal and in utero fetal death
(25) Case report China 1 A(H7N9) Unknown 25 years of age, 17 weeks GA; visited live animal market 2 weeks before illness Maternal survival; infant born at 35 weeks GA, 2 mo after maternal hospital discharge

*All the adult population described in the table are pregnant women. GA, gestational age; LBW, low birthweight; RSCS, retrospective cohort study.

Main Article

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Main Article

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