Abstract
Introduction: Dengue infection represents a growing threat to maternal health in endemic regions, with potential progression to severe disease and critical complications during pregnancy.
Objective: To determine the prevalence, severity, and maternal-fetal outcomes of dengue infection in pregnant and postpartum women.
Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted, including 79 obstetric patients with serologically confirmed dengue infection at a general hospital in Mazatlán, Mexico, between 2023 and 2024. Clinical features, laboratory parameters, disease severity (World Health Organization [WHO] classification), and outcomes were analyzed.
Results: Hospital prevalence was 2.1%. Severe dengue occurred in 8.8% of cases, and 18.9% presented warning signs, with the highest frequency in the third trimester (49.4%). Laboratory findings showed moderate thrombocytopenia (mean 120,270/μl; nadir 9,000/μl) and significant elevations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indicating systemic involvement. Obstetric hemorrhage occurred in 8.9% of patients. The cesarean rate was 50.6%, mainly due to fetal distress. Maternal mortality was 2.5%, with a near-miss rate of 3.8%.
Conclusion: Dengue in pregnancy carries a significant risk of critical complications. Early recognition, biomarker-based risk stratification, and timely critical care management are essential to improve outcomes.
Martha Alejandra Plascencia-Aguilar, Francisco Javier Castro-Apodaca, Dalia Magaña-Ordorica, Gloria María Peña-García, Rosa Ávila-Valdez, Osiris Del Carmen Valdéz-Ortiz, Jesús Gilberto Arámburo-Gálvez, Nancy Godoy-Rodríguez, Francisco Javier Hernández-Mora, Alberto Ballesteros-Manzo, Bryan Miguel Ahumada-Félix, Adrián Canizalez-Roman, Joel Murillo-Llanes
