Three recent case series of novel H1N1 influenza and their contribution to our understanding of the H1N1 infection in pregnancy

The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century is now well upon us and several articles published in prominent journals in the past three months provide us with some information about the characteristics of H1N1 infection in the pregnant population. Although data from previous pandemics have significant limitations, it has repeatedly been shown that pregnant women are particularly prone to severe cases of influenza. ^1,2 The following three reports appear to confirm this pregnancy-associated increase in influenza virulence and suggest the wisdom of early antiviral treatment for pregnant women with influenza-like illness. A summary of their findings can be found in Table 1.