Uzma Parveen, Zahida Parveen Brohi, Aneela Sadaf, Ifat Baloch.
Maternal and Fetal Outcome of Dengue Fever in Pregnancy: a Cross-Sectional Study.
J Health Rehab Res Nov ;4(2):1676-81.

Background: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, has become a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The impact of dengue fever on pregnancy outcomes is a growing area of concern, with potential risks for both maternal and fetal health. Objective: To assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of dengue fever in pregnancy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hajiani Hospital and Bilawal Medical College Teaching (CDF) Hospital in Hyderabad over two years from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. During this period, 2490 obstetric patients were admitted, and 52 of them, diagnosed with dengue fever during pregnancy, were included in the study. Data collection involved comprehensive medical histories, physical examinations, and routine laboratory tests, including rapid antigen and antibody tests for dengue, liver and renal function tests, and viral serology for hepatitis B and C. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 25, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: Out of the 52 patients with dengue fever in pregnancy, the mean age was 29.04 ± 8.40 years. A significant majority (94.2%) had not received antenatal care, and most were from rural areas (71.15%) and illiterate (78.84%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.57 ± 2.932 days. Common symptoms included fever (88.4%), gum bleeding (71.1%), and vomiting (53.8%). Major complications were thrombocytopenia (90.3%), obstetric hemorrhage (71.1%), and anemia (71.1%). Maternal mortality was 13.4%. Among the 37 patients who delivered, 45.9% had vaginal deliveries, 32% required instrumental delivery, and 21.6% underwent cesarean sections. Miscarriage occurred in 13.51% of the deliveries, preterm delivery in 37.87%, stillbirth in 2.70%, and neonatal mortality in 16.2%. Conclusion: Acute dengue fever in pregnancy poses a significant clinical challenge with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The symptomatic dengue fever is associated with increased risks of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and poor neonatal outcomes. Enhanced antenatal care and early detection are crucial in managing these risks.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com