[Dengue fever and pregnancy. A study of 38 cases in french Guiana].

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the consequences of a dengue fever infection on mother and foetus during pregnancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between February 1, 1992 and December 31, 1999, 172 patients with non malaria hyperthermia were tested for dengue fever infection at the maternity of the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni hospital in French Guyana. The diagnosis was considered positive when specific IgM was present and/or with virus isolation or viral ARN detection using RT-PCR. Among the 38 cases of mothers infected by dengue fever throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy, it was possible to take 19 fetal blood samples.

RESULTS

The major consequences for the mothers were risk of premature delivery in 55% of the cases, one case of severe hemorrhagic complications during a cesarean section, and one case of abruptio placentae. The consequences for the fetus were premature birth in 22% of the cases, 5 in utero fetal deaths, 4 cases of acute fetal distress during labor and 2 cases of mother-to-child transmission.

CONCLUSION

In case of dengue fever infection of the mother during pregnancy, there is a serious risk of premature birth and fetal death. In case of infection close to term, there is a risk of hemorrhage for both the mother and the newborn.