Prompt diagnosis and treatment of H1N1 is crucial during pregnancy to prevent major morbidity and mortality as the virus poses an increased risk of severe illness in pregnant women. Currently, there is limited obstetric literature concerning pregnancy and the pandemic swine flu outbreak in the UK. Although there was a concerted effort to stockpile the HIN1 virus vaccinations, critical care adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is only available in one centre in the UK.
SaleebyE, ChapmanJ, MorseJ, BryantA. H1N1 influenza in pregnancy: cause for concern. Obstet Gynecol2009;114:885–91
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hospitalized patients with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection – California, April–May, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2009;58:536–41
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The Australia and New Zealand Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ANZ ECMO) Influenza Investigators. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 2009 influenza A (H1N1) acute respiratory distress syndrome. JAMA2009;302:1888–95. Published online 12 October 2009
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BrownfootFC, CrowtherCA, MiddletonP. Different corticosteroids and regimens for accelerating fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev2008; Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006764. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006764.pub2
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JamiesonDJ, TheilerRN, RasmussenSA. Emerging infections and pregnancy. Emerg Infect Dis2006;12:1638–43
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LimML, ChongCY, TeeWSN, LimWY, CheeJJ. Influenza A/H1N1 (2009) infection in pregnancy – an Asian perspective. BJOG2010;17:551–6
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See http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/@sta/@perf/documents/digitalasset/dh_110048.pdf (last checked 8 July 2010)
8.
HurtAC, BaasC, DengYM, Performance of influenza rapid point-of-care tests in the detection of swine lineage A (H1N1) influenza viruses. Influenza Other Respir Viruses2009;3:171–76; 9
