Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 5046091, 4 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/5046091

Clinical Study

Spectrum of Maternofetal Outcomes during Dengue Infection in Pregnancy: An Insight

Swati Sharma, Sandhya Jain, and Shalini Rajaram

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi 110095, India

Received 31 October 2015; Revised 15 February 2016; Accepted 28 February 2016

Academic Editor: Bryan Larsen

Copyright © 2016 Swati Sharma et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Dengue is a vector transmitted viral infection; tropical and subtropical countries see outbreaks of dengue each year. There is a paucity of literature on effects of dengue infection on pregnancy outcome and this prompted us to undertake a study for better understanding of pregnancy implications with dengue infection. Pregnant women admitted during the seasonal outbreak of dengue between September 2015 and October 2015 were studied and maternal and fetal outcomes in sixteen NS1Ag positive women were analysed. Out of sixteen women diagnosed with dengue fever, three had dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and eight had dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). The most common obstetric complication seen in 43% of the cases was oligohydramnios. Bleeding manifestations occurred in seven women and there were three maternal deaths. Perinatal complications included three intrauterine deaths, six nursery admissions, and one neonatal death. Thus dengue infection was associated with high maternal and perinatal mortality. In view of poor obstetric outcomes, this viral infection warrants early admission and prompt management.

1. Introduction

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease. It is caused by viruses of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, and Group IV ssRNA. Dengue is transmitted to humans by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and is one of the most rapidly spreading viral infections. There has been a 30-fold increase in its incidence in the last 50 years coupled to increasing migration from rural to urban areas. Annually 50 million people acquire dengue infection worldwide [1]. Dengue remains a major health concern for Southeast Asian countries with cyclic epidemics. In India multiple viral serotypes are circulating and some regions have case fatality rates of 3–5% in general population, which is much higher than other Southeast Asian regions (1%) [2].

Complications of dengue in pregnancy have been scarcely studied. Literature suggests an increased risk of maternal hemorrhage, preterm labour, and oligohydramnios [3–5]. Clinical presentation of dengue may be confused with HELLP syndrome, both conditions having elevated liver enzymes, haemolysis, and low platelet counts; however serology helps in distinguishing the two conditions. Low platelet counts pose a risk of postpartum hemorrhage. As reported in previous studies, dengue is associated with preterm births, low birth weight, fetal deaths, and vertical transmission leading to neonatal thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions [6–10].

In a quest to answer vital issues we critically analysed dengue antigen positive cases in our institute and studied maternal and fetal outcomes.

2. Material and Method

This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary level government hospital, Delhi, India. During the months of September and October 2015, 60 pregnant women were seen in the emergency room with complaint of fever and were admitted for evaluation. As per protocol, dengue PCR (NS1Ag) was done in all women. Out of 60, 16 were dengue positive.

Dengue was diagnosed using NS1Ag and/or IgM serology. Clinical grading was done according to WHO classification and case definitions. An acute febrile illness with two or more clinical manifestations like headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, hemorrhagic manifestation, or leukopenia and positive serology or occurrence at a time of dengue outbreak was taken as the definition of dengue fever (DF). Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) was classified as fever, hemorrhagic tendencies, thrombocytopenia, evidence of plasma leakage, association of hepatomegaly, and circulatory disturbances. Increase in serial hematocrit was taken as evidence of plasma leakage and ultrasound showing pleural effusion, ascites, and gall bladder edema were taken as supportive evidence. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) was classified when DHF symptoms included rapid and weak pulse, narrow pulse pressure of less than 20 mmHg, and hypotension [2].

Patients were managed with antipyretics, adequate hydration, and blood product transfusion as necessary. Strict maternal and fetal surveillance were done to identify complications early. Platelet counts were done two to three times per day depending on clinical profile. Obstetric data, clinical, laboratory parameters, and maternal and fetal outcomes of women are depicted in Table 1. The platelet count and hematocrit variation of the cases are shown in Table 2.

Table 1: Clinical profile of NS1Ag positive patients.

Parity
POG weeks + days
IgM
Bleeding manifestations
Obstetrics complication
ICU admission
Maternal morbidity
Neonatal outcome

1
G₃P₂L₂
39
+
N
Oligo, IUD
Y
Dengue induced hepatitis, pulmonary edema, and death
IUD

2
G₄P₃L₃
38 + 4

Y (PPH)
Oligo, LSCS
Y
PPH, death
NICU (neonatal death-meconium aspiration syndrome with respiratory failure)

3
Primi
34 + 4
+
N
PTVD
Y
Preterm delivery, death
NICU (prematurity)

4
Primi
39
+
N
Oligo, NVD
N
None
NICU (respiratory distress)

5
G₂P₁L₁
36 + 4

N
Oligo, NVD
N
None
Normal

6
G₃P₂L₂
24 + 4

N
Oligo, NVD
N
None
Normal

7
G₃P₂L₂
36

N
Oligo, FGR, NVD
N
None
NICU (LBW)

8
G₂P₁L₁
38
+
N
Oligo, IUD
N
None
IUD

9
G₂P₁L₁
17 + 4

Y (BPV)
Spontaneous abortion
N
Abortion
Abortion

10
P₂L₂
Post LSCS

Y (hematoma)
Rectus sheath hematoma
N
Hematoma drainage
Normal

11
G₃P₂L₁
40

Y (2° PPH)
NVD
N
2° PPH
NICU (meconium aspiration)

12
Primi
34 + 2

Y (epistaxis)
NVD
N
Epistaxis
Normal

13
Primi
39

N
Forceps delivery
N
PPH
Normal

14
G₂P₁L₁
32 + 2
+
Y
PTVD
N
Preterm delivery
NICU (prematurity)

15
G₃P₂L₂
37 + 5

N (bleeding P/R, petechiae, and subconjunctival hemorrhage)
NVD
N
None
Normal

16
Primi
38 + 5

Y (hematuria)
IUD
N
None
IUD

G: gravidae, P: parity, L: living issue, VD: vaginal delivery, NVD: normal vaginal delivery, IUD: intrauterine death, PTVD: preterm vaginal delivery, PPH: postpartum hemorrhage, 2° PPH: secondary PPH, LBW: low birth weight, oligo: oligohydramnios, Y: yes, N: no, and NICU: neonatal intensive care unit.

Table 2: Hematological indices and their variation during hospital stay.

Platelet count (10³/L)
Hematocrit (%)
Blood product transfusion
Diagnosis

Admission
Least
Admission
Maximum
Least

1
24
22
39
45
36
Y
DSS

2
18
18
33
37.6
33
Y
DSS

3
79
19
35
37
31.1
Y
DSS

4
123
123
29
29
28
N
DF

5
40
24
23.4
30
23.4
Y
DHF

6
45
45
30
31
28
N
DF

7
170
14
32.4
34.9
29
Y
DHF

8
24
20
27.8
30
27
Y
DHF

9
18
18
42
42
31
Y
DHF

10
32
32
38
44
33
Y
DHF

11
90
62
33
36
33
N
DF

12
190
43
32
39
32
N
DHF

13
76
76
29
33
29
N
DF

14
42
39
40
41
35
Y
DHF

15
310
160
31
32
32
N
DF

16
16
16
39
39
30
Y
DHF

3. Results and Discussion

A majority of women were unbooked and presented with classical symptoms of high grade fever, myalgia, headache, and rashes to the emergency room. All women were young, age ranging from 22 to 32 years; mean age was 25 years. Out of 16 cases 13 presented in third trimester and two in second trimester and one was referred after LSCS was done in another hospital. She presented with large rectus sheath hematoma following caesarean section needing surgical exploration and drainage. None of the women had any underlying diseases or comorbidity except one (#case 5) who had moderate anemia on admission.

In the current study, eight women (50%) had dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Ten women required transfusion to maintain platelet count in desired range; on average each woman required six platelet transfusions. Most women had low platelet counts at the time of admission (mean 81,000/mm³); 62% had platelets less than 50,000/mm³. Platelet count less than 30,000/mm³ was seen in dengue shock syndrome with increased risk of bleeding manifestations. A Sri Lankan case series reported 10 women with DHF but only eight required platelet transfusion [5]. Three women succumbed to dengue shock syndrome in current study with a mortality rate of 18% compared to 3–5% case fatality rate in rest of the India in nonpregnant population [2]. In another study done in India by Agrawal et al. maternal mortality rate was 12% [3].

Symptomatic dengue infection may increase the risk of preterm labour and, hence, low birth weight (LBW) as suggested by previous studies [3–5, 11]. In the study under discussion two women had preterm delivery (12%). Most women presented near term () and of the four who presented in early gestation two had preterm labour. Preterm births reported were as low as 11% in the French Guiana study versus 41% in the study by Basurko et al. [4, 11]. One woman had spontaneous abortion (6%) and seven (43%) pregnancies were complicated with oligohydramnios in present study compared to 52% rate of oligohydramnios from a study in India by Agrawal et al. [3].

Bleeding manifestations were seen in seven women and three (19%) had postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (#2, 11, and 13). One of them was diagnosed as DSS and the other two were diagnosed as DF. Both women diagnosed as DF had atonic PPH. One of them had PPH 48 hours following the delivery. Both the patients did not have any other bleeding manifestations and signs of plasma leakage hence were classified as only DF. In retrospective study by Basurko et al. on 53 pregnant women, PPH was reported in 10% of the cases compared to 19% in our study [4].

There were six neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions (37%), three intrauterine deaths (IUD) (18%), and one neonatal death (6%). One neonatal death was caused by meconium aspiration syndrome. None of the neonates in our study showed symptoms of dengue such as thrombocytopenia, anemia, fever, or bleeding manifestations. Diagnostic tests for dengue were not routinely done for asymptomatic neonates. There are a number of studies on poor fetal outcome following dengue infection in parturient females. Vertical transmission of dengue has also been reported [4, 5]. Basurko et al. reported 5.3% vertical transmission rate in their study [4]. They also reported IUD rate of 3.8% and neonatal death rate of 1.9% while Carles et al. also reported high fetal death rate [4, 12].

Pregnant women with dengue fever should be considered for admission early because of its unpredictable course. Maintaining normothermia and adequate hydration should be the goal. Low platelet counts should be taken as a marker of severity of the disease. Oligohydramnios is an ominous sign when seen concomitantly with dengue infection because the high fetal mortality was associated with it. The exact cause of oligohydramnios is not known but dehydration associated with dengue fever may be contributory. Hydration should be maintained by encouraging oral intake of oral rehydration solution (ORS), fruit juice, and other fluids containing electrolytes and glucose for replacing losses from fever and associated vomiting [2]. Dengue fever does not warrant any active obstetrical intervention.

Another dilemma faced was in differentiating dengue infection from HELLP syndrome as both have somewhat similar laboratory parameters; however serology will help clinch the diagnosis. Careful examination and high index of suspicion by the treating obstetrician are required to diagnose and manage such cases especially during epidemics.

4. Conclusions

Our knowledge on effect of dengue on pregnancy is somewhat limited. In this study dengue was associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Dengue needs early diagnosis and prompt treatment to avoid its adverse outcomes. Pregnant women should avoid travel to dengue afflicted regions. Vector control methods should be employed during seasonal outbreaks. Awareness programs and medical education programs on the management of the dengue in pregnancy should be initiated especially during outbreaks to provide quality care.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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