Obstetrical concern on new emerging swine flu

Excerpt

Swine flu is a new emerging infectious disease [1, 2]. It is a new infection by new H1N1 influenza virus that can be transmitted from human to human. In obstetrics, the impact of this new infection should be mentioned. Because swine flu is accepted as influenza, similar impact on pregnancy to classical influenza virus infection should be detected. Since swine flu is believed to have a drug resistance and the classical influenza vaccine is not effective, the prevention by either chemoprophylaxis or vaccination cannot be expected. Focusing on vertical transmission and teratogenesis, there is no evidence. Indeed, swine flu virus, a result from reassortment between classical H1N1 virus, has a large molecular size and cannot pass the placenta. Indeed, classical H1N1, which is smaller than new swine flu, also cannot. Although there is no obstetrical case of swine flu at present, obstetricians should prepare for coping with the possible infection in the trend of global pandemic. …