Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Pneumonia during pregnancy
M Reza Shariatzadeh1, Thomas J Marrie
1Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Background:
We determined the incidence, clinical course, risk factors, and outcomes of community-acquired pneumonia complicating pregnancy.
Methods:
A prospective study was performed of pregnant and nonpregnant patients in the same age range who presented to any of 6 hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, with signs and symptoms of pneumonia together with an acute infiltrate evident on chest radiography compatible with pneumonia.
Results:
There were 28 patients with pneumonia during pregnancy, for an incidence of 1.1 per 1000 deliveries, whereas there were 333 nonpregnant females in the 20- to 40-year age group with pneumonia, for an incidence of 1.3 per 1000. No significant differences in signs and symptoms were present between the two groups. Asthma requiring treatment was present in 46.4% of the pregnant patients, compared with 17.1% of the nonpregnant patients. No maternal or fetal deaths were noted except an abortion at 10 weeks of gestation. No anomaly was detected among newborns. Two patients had preterm deliveries.
Conclusions:
Pneumonia is well tolerated during pregnancy. Asthma may be a predisposing factor for pneumonia in this group of patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology