Receive Influenza A H1N1 vaccine during pregnancy protects baby

Newborn infants whose mothers received the vaccine against H1N1 Influenza A during pregnancy have nearly 50% less likely to be hospitalized due to this flu.

Vaccination against influenza is recommended for anyone over 6 months of age, especially those that belong to target groups such as pregnant women, who have a higher risk of flu-related complications.

"It is recommended that all pregnant women receive the flu vaccine during pregnancy, since it is known that pregnant women have higher morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and immediate postpartum period if they have the flu. We also know that mothers pass antibodies through the placenta to the baby. This study shows that receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy not only protects the mother but the baby in the first months of life, "said Katherine A. Poehling, professor of pediatrics.

Babies under 6 months of age have the highest rates of hospitalization for influenza among all children. Poehling said that, however, the vaccine is not effective and is not licensed for children as young.

So, Poehling and colleagues sought to determine whether the vaccine during pregnancy could provide some protection for the newborn baby.

The researchers analyzed data collected over seven influenza seasons between 2002 and 2009, before the H1N1 pandemic. The data included information on 1,510 babies who were hospitalized with fever, respiratory symptoms, or both, in the first six months of life and had undergone laboratory tests to detect infection with influenza.

The researchers found that babies born to mothers who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy were 45% to 48% less likely to be hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Pediatricians need to know about it, but even more important that physicians caring for pregnant women - obstetricians and gynecologists know it, too, "Poehling said.

Germany

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