How many pregnant women had severe complications from 2009 H1N1 influenza?
Based on reports to CDC from state and local health departments, 280 pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 influenza with symptom onset between April and December 2009 were admitted to an intensive care unit – of these, 56 women died. What has been learned about the use of antiviral treatment among pregnant women? Delayed treatment with antiviral medications was associated with more severe illness and death, consistent with previous data on seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1, where early treatment has been associated with reduced illness duration, symptom severity, death, secondary complications, hospitalizations, and need for antibiotics. Receipt of early (within 2 days from symptom onset) and intermediate (3-4 days from symptom onset) treatment with antiviral medications among pregnant women was associated with less severe disease, fewer admissions to an ICU and fewer deaths. Pregnant women with intermediate treatment were nearly 10 times more likely to die than those treated early (5% compare
