Taking antivirals during the flu does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Infection greatly increases the risks for the woman and her baby.
Tamiflu does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications. A large study carried out in the Scandinavian countries and in France confirms this. Published in the British Medical Journal, she specifies that antivirals are safe for pregnant women and their fetus. The flu, on the other hand, greatly increases the dangers.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers gathered the records of 6,000 women who received a prescription for oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) after exposure to the influenza virus. Their pregnancies were compared to that of 700,000 untreated women, also followed between 2008 and 2010.
The conclusion leaves no doubt: with or without antivirals, the same rate of premature births, stillbirths or malformations was observed. The team even saw a slight reduction in the risk of low birth weight on treatment.
A risk for pregnant women
This result is all the more reassuring given that the flu actually promotes pregnancy complications. Infection increases the likelihood of hospitalization two to eight times. The risk is particularly high in the 3rd trimester. During the H1N1 pandemic, from 2009-2010, 4 to 13% of deaths were among pregnant women.
It is also because of these risks that pregnancy is considered a priority target for vaccination. Affected women can be protected against the virus free of charge. Protection that extends to the newborn for a period of six months.
The researchers point out, however, that they did not assess the risk until 22 weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore, prescription of antivirals does not mean taking the drug systematically.
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