STUDY OF MATERNAL AND PERINATAL OUTCOME IN WOMEN PRESENTING WITH FEBRILE ILLNESS DURING PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of various pathogens responsible for febrile illness during pregnancy and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcome. METHODS: After approval by institutional ethical committee the prospective case control study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur (M. P.) from 1st June 2012 to 31st October 2013. A total 100 febrile antenatal women as cases and 50 antenatal women without fever as control were included and analyzed in this study. In women fulfilling inclusion criteria detailed history was taken and documented in proforma. Required investigations were sent to the department of pathology and virology laboratory of Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur. Results were analyzed statistically by using t test and chi square test. RESULT: Prevalence of viral pathogen responsible for febrile illness during pregnancy was highest 19.33%, followed by bacteria (16%) and protozoa (16%) each. Duration of stay in the hospital, preterm delivery, coexisting maternal morbidity were more in cases as compared to control and were statistically significant. 9% cases died due to Malaria and Hepatitis B. Incidence of prematurity (55%), low birth weight (72%), perinatal mortality (41%) (Intrauterine death & Still birth), neonatal admission in nursery (34%) and congenital malformation (6%) were more in cases as compared to control and were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Fever during pregnancy is major public health problem and a high risk situation. Early identification of high risk cases should be done, so that prompt treatment will be instituted early, thereby reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity & mortality associated with fever.