Too Young and Too Pregnant to Die: H1N1 and Pregnancy

Nueva, Awina

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Title: Too Young and Too Pregnant to Die: H1N1 and Pregnancy

Woodrow Wilson (Gaylord National Harbor)

Awina Nueva, RNC , Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ

Kathleen Mahoney, APN , Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Whitehouse Station, NJ

Carla J. Boyle, BSN, RN-C , Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ

Discipline: Childbearing (CB)

Learning Objectives:

Describe the progression of the H1N1 influenza virus in an unvaccinated pregnant adolescent.
Discuss the multi-disciplinary plan of care focused on optimizing maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Identify the developmental and cultural issues that impacted maternal and newborn outcome.

Submission Description:

Background: H1N1 is known to cause catastrophic complications in the pregnant population. This case will review the presentation and sequelae from start to finish of such a patient.

Case: Gravida 1 Para 0 17 y.o with adequate prenatal care who refused a flu shot and presented to labor and delivery with flu like symptoms early in the third trimester. The patient rapidly progressed to ARDS and plans were developed for an ICU cesarean delivery if needed. The patient ultimately did require an emergent delivery and died quickly thereafter. The case was complicated by the patient’s age and her family culture.

Conclusion: Patient education is vital around the importance of flu vaccine; and multi disciplinary efforts were required in attempts to save this patient’s life, care for her extremely preterm infant and provide support to her grieving family.

Keywords: H1N1, influenza, adolescent pregnancy