Short-term pregnancy outcomes in patients chikungunya infection: An observational study

Maternal to fetal transmission of chikungunya infection is reported in various studies. However, there is no study from India that looked at the pregnancy outcomes in patients infected with chikungunya. Thus, we planned an observational study that looked at the short-term outcomes of chikungunya infection on pregnancy outcomes.

It was an observational study conducted at a private clinic in New Delhi from August 2016 to October 2016. We recruited 150 consecutive pregnant females from the outpatient that were suspected chikungunya infection and subsequently tested positive for the same. Those patients who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria would be followed till 10 days including the time till fever subsided. Pregnancy outcomes would be noted in these subjects based on history, examination, and investigations.

Out of 150 patients, 141 (94%) recovered completely within 10 days of onset of symptoms. Only nine patients had persistent arthralgias. In our study, mean age (years) ± std was 24.52 ± 3.765, mean period of gestation (months) ± std was 25.62 ± 13.475, and mean period of gestation at delivery (months) ± std was 36.36 ± 3.225. Most of our patients, 75 (50%) were in 2^nd trimester, 24 (16%) were in first trimester, and 51 (34%) in third trimester. Pregnancy complications were seen in 30 (20%) patients. Preterm delivery (<36 weeks) were seen in 11 (7.33%), premature rupture of membranes were seen in 5 (3.33%), decreased fetal movements in 4 (2.67%), intrauterine deaths in 4 (2.67%), oligohydromnios in 3 (2%), and preterm labor pains 3 (2%). There were six patients who underwent delivery at term. In our study cohort, 30 (20%) developed adverse pregnancy outcomes which were maximum during third trimester -24/30 (80%).

Chikungunya infection in pregnancy is associated with increased pregnancy morbidity and fetal mortality.