Dengue fever poses significant risks during pregnancy, potentially leading to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight in newborns. Pregnant women infected with dengue are at higher risk of hemorrhaging, which can jeopardize both maternal and fetal health, sometimes necessitating early pregnancy termination if contracted in the early stages.
While dengue fever itself doesn’t always mandate pregnancy termination, its impact on embryonic development, particularly in the first trimester, remains poorly understood due to limited data. Of particular concern is the perinatal period, where there’s a risk of vertical transmission from mother to newborn, with transmission rates ranging widely from 1.6% to 46.4%.
Complications associated with dengue fever in pregnancy include preterm birth and low birth weight, with incidence rates reported between 13% and 55%. Numerous studies highlight a strong correlation between maternal dengue illness and adverse birth outcomes, underscoring the potential impact on fetal growth and development.
Maternal dengue infection can also increase the likelihood of symptomatic disease in newborns during the peripartum period, complicating pregnancy management and necessitating careful monitoring to ensure a healthy outcome. The heightened risk of hemorrhage during delivery further complicates matters, posing additional challenges for both mother and child.
While definitive causal links between dengue fever and low birth weight require further investigation, existing evidence emphasizes the critical role of monitoring and managing dengue fever in pregnant women. Healthcare providers must remain vigilant in their care, offering appropriate medical interventions to minimize potential adverse outcomes, including strategies to mitigate the risk of low birth weight. This comprehensive approach is essential for safeguarding maternal and neonatal health and reducing the complications associated with dengue fever during pregnancy.
