Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eleri Williams, Professor Nicholas EmbletonORCiD, Mary Bythell, Professor Janet Berrington
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Objective To determine the role of viral infections in causing fetal and infant death. Study design We assessed a well-validated population database of fetal (>= 20 weeks gestation) and infant death for infective deaths and deaths from viruses over a 21-year period (1988-2008). We analyzed by specific viral cause, timing (late fetal loss [20-23 weeks], stillbirth [>= 24 weeks], neonatal death [0-27 days], and post-neonatal infant death [28-364 days]) and across time. Results Of the 989 total infective deaths, 108 were attributable to viral causes (6.5% of late fetal losses, 14.5% of stillbirths, 6.5% of neonatal deaths, and 19.4% of postneonatal infant deaths). Global loss (combined fetal and infant losses per 100 000 registerable births) was 139.6 (95% CI, 130.9-148.3) for any infective cause and 15.2 (95% CI, 12.3-18.1) for viral infections. More than one-third (37%) of viral-attributed deaths were before live birth, from parvovirus (63%) or cytomegalovirus (33%). Parvovirus accounted for 26% (28 of 108) of all viral deaths. Cytomegalovirus was associated with a global loss rate of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.8-4.4) and an infant mortality rate of 1.3 (95% CI, 0.4-2.1) per 100 000 live births; 91% of cases were congenital infections. Herpes simplex virus caused death only after live births (infant mortality rate, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.5-2.3). No changes in rates were seen over time. Conclusion We have identified a substantial contribution of viral infections to global fetal and infant losses. More than one-third of these losses occurred before live births. Considering our methodology, our estimates represent the minimum contribution of viral illness. Strategies to reduce this burden are needed.
Author(s): Williams EJ, Embleton ND, Clark JE, Bythell M, Platt MPW, Berrington JE
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Pediatrics
Year: 2013
Volume: 163
Issue: 2
Pages: 424-428
Print publication date: 16/03/2013
ISSN (print): 0022-3476
ISSN (electronic): 1097-6833
Publisher: Mosby, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.02.004
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.02.004
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
