Fever During Pregnancy: Etiology and Fetomaternal Outcomes

PURPOSE: Etiological spectrum of fever in pregnant women and its impact on fetomaternal outcomes were studied. METHODS: This was a hospital-based prospective study, conducted over 12 months. All pregnant women with fever were screened and detailed etiological evaluation carried out. Maternal and foetal outcomes were noted. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one pregnant women with fever were included. Common causes were dengue 44 (24.3%), hepatitis E 26 (14.4%) and urinary tract infection (UTI) 22 (12.2%). Mosquito-borne diseases accounted for the highest burden 61 (33.7%). Second most common were diseases transmitted by feco-oral route 46 (25.4%). Maternal deaths occurred in 29 (16%) patients. Common causes of death were hepatitis E infection in 9 of 26 (34.6%) cases, dengue in 7 of 44 (15.9%) and tuberculosis in 5 of 11 (45.5%) cases. CONCLUSION: Dengue, hepatitis E and UTI were the most common causes of fever during pregnancy. Most cases were caused by vector- and water-borne diseases and thus potentially preventable. Overall maternal mortality was 16%.