Influenza A(H1N1): Expectant mother dies, foetus survives
Influenza A(H1N1): Expectant mother dies, foetus survives
Influenza A(H1N1): Expectant mother dies, foetus survives
2010/04/03
Annie Freeda Cruez
anniefc@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: A 36-week-old foetus was saved but the mother, aged 29, died of Influenza A(H1N1) complications.
The drama first unfolded at the Malacca hospital on Tuesday when the pregnant woman, who came in with Influenza-like illness, was admitted when doctors found the foetus in distress inside the mother's womb.
"Doctors who realised that the foetus was undergoing a foetal distress syndrome had to make a quick decision to save its life, especially after laboratory results confirmed that the woman was positive for Influenza A (H1N1)," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tong Lai.
He said the woman, who was treated with Tamilfu, was wheeled into the operating theatre where the surgeon managed to successfully remove the foetus from the mother's womb.
The woman, he added, subsequently suffered complications and was in the intensive care unit where she died on Friday due to 'adult respiratory distress syndrome'.
"The newborn is negative for H1N1. Since it was born without reaching the full term of pregnancy, doctors are closely monitoring the baby which is in stable condition," said Liow.
Meanwhile, a 54-year-old diabetic, also from the same family and confirmed positive for A(H1N1), died due to complications at the same hospital.
Liow said the deceased was brought to the hospital with ILI on Tuesday and was immediately warded and treated with the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu.
"Throat swabs taken from her showed positive for the disease," he said, adding that due to her uncontrolled diabetic condition, she suffered 'severe metabolic acidosis' which led to kidney failure and sepsis.
He said the deceased lungs also revealed that she had pneumonia related to A(H1N1).
The death toll from Influenza A(H1N1) either directly or due to complications now stands at 80 cases.
"The two deaths clearly show how important it is for people in the high-risk category to seek treatment the moment they have an onset symptoms of the disease. It is not necessary to have fever but if they have all other symptoms related to A(H1N1), they must go the nearest government hospital," said Liow.
He said people with chronic diseases, asthma, diabetes, respiratory problems, kidney failure, pregnant women and children must see a doctor the moment they have fever (not necessarily), cough, cold, headache and body pain.
"Those in high risk groups are immediately treated with Tamiflu to avoid complications due to their co-morbid health conditions such as chronic diseases and obesity," he added.
Citing the two deaths, Liow warned that delay in seeking treatment could lead to complications and death.
Although no new cluster cases were reported within the last 24-hours, Liow said, the ministry was not taking the situation lightly as there was at least some 50 confirmed H1N1 cases every week since last month.
Currently he said, there were 351 people being treated in hospitals nationwide with ILI and of the number 28 were confirmed positive for H1N1.
"We have five of the confirmed cases being treated in ICUs due to them suffering complications due to their co-morbid health conditions," he added.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100403190747/Article/index_html