Clinical characteristics of pregnant women with influenza-like illness during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and use of a standardized management algorithm

We sought to describe the clinical characteristics of pregnant women with influenza-like illness during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic with the use of a standardized management algorithm. From June 2009 through March 2010, we assembled a prospective cohort of pregnant women with influenza-like illness at a single tertiary care center using a standardized algorithm. Clinical outcomes were compared between women with 2009 H1N1 virus and those without. In all, 45 women were included. Seventeen had 2009 H1N1 infection and 28 did not. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. The median temperature upon presentation (99.7 vs 98.8 F, P = .004) was slightly higher among those with 2009 H1N1. All those with 2009 H1N1 influenza and 89% of those without were treated with oseltamivir. A total of 12 women (27%) were hospitalized. There were no endotracheal intubations or deaths. Among this cohort of pregnant women, most were treated as outpatients and had favorable maternal outcomes.