Flu shots for pregnant women could protect babies
A new study had found that giving flu shots to pregnant women seems to reduce their risk of having a baby with a low birth weight.
by Laura Donaldson, Mindful Mum, 22nd February 2012
Babies who are small for their gestational age have an increased risk of health problems and other issues throughout their lives.
The study, which was carried out by a team of US and Bangladeshi researchers monitored 340 pregnant women in Bangladesh, all in their third trimester of pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups, 170 who received the flu vaccine and 170 who received a different vaccine that does not protect against the flu.
The results
When the seasonal influenza virus was circulating in the population, the flu vaccine group had fewer babies who were small for their gestational age than the other group – 26% in those who were given in the jab versus 45% in those who had not.
The percentage of small births was similar in both groups when the influenza virus was
dormant, according to the study that was published yesterday in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
The investigators found that when the virus was circulating, the average birth weight was 7 pounds in the
flu vaccine group and 6.6 pounds in the group that didn’t get flu shots.
Conclusion
Dr Mark Steinhoff of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, and colleagues wrote in their report: “Our data suggest that the prevention of infection with seasonal influenza in pregnant women by vaccination can influence fetal growth.”
In a news release, the study authors suggested that if further research supports these findings, adding a flu vaccine to routine vaccinations during pregnancy could help give children a better start in life.
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