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Am J Perinatol 2013; 30(03): 233-240
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1323585
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Prevention of Mother-to-Infant Transmission of Influenza during the Postpartum Period

Joseph B. Cantey
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Susan L. Bascik
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Nicholas G. Heyne
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Jon R. Gonzalez
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Gregory L. Jackson
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Vanessa L. Rogers
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Jeanne S. Sheffield
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Sylvia Treviño
3   Infection Prevention, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
,
Dorothy Sendelbach
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
George D. Wendel
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
,
Pablo J. Sánchez
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 February 2012

06 April 2012

Publication Date:
27 August 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives The optimal management of infants born to mothers with peripartum influenza infection is not known. The objective of this study is to describe our experience with a practice guideline that promotes rooming-in and breast-feeding and to determine whether infants managed in this way acquire influenza infection.

Study Design All mothers diagnosed with influenza infection within 8 days of delivery and their infants were included. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome data were collected. Mothers were contacted at ~1 month after giving birth to determine if their infants had developed any signs suggestive of influenza infection.

Results Forty-two women were diagnosed with peripartum influenza over the 2003 to 2005 and 2009 to 2010 seasons. Median onset of symptoms was 3 days before delivery, and median day of diagnosis was 1 day before delivery. The 42 infants had a median gestational age of 39 weeks; none were born earlier than 35 weeks. Ninety-five percent of the infants roomed-in with their mothers. Follow-up information was available on 95% of infants by 1 month; no infants had illness suggestive of influenza through the follow-up period.

Conclusion A guideline for the management of infants born to mothers with peripartum influenza infection, based on attention to hand hygiene, antiviral treatment for mothers, and encouragement of rooming-in and breast-feeding, was not associated with mother-to-infant influenza transmission over three separate influenza seasons.

Keywords

influenza - infant - perinatal infection - infection control - breast-feeding

Notes

This study was presented in part at the Pediatric Academic Society annual meeting, May 14 to 17, 2005, Washington, DC, and at the Infectious Disease Society of America annual meeting, October 20 to 23, 2011, Boston, Massachusetts.


 

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