Shiri Shinar1, Avital Skornick-Rapaport, Eli Rimon. 1. From the Department of Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Q fever infection in pregnancy is associated with various maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death, and oligohydramnios. CASE: We describe the cases of two pregnant women remote from term who presented with premature contractions and fever of unknown origin. During their hospitalizations, they had development of near-complete placental abruption. In both cases, immediate delivery ensued. Fever of unknown origin work-up revealed chronic Q fever infection, and polymerase chain reaction investigation of the placenta demonstrated chronic Q fever placentitis. CONCLUSION: Q fever placentitis may result in placental abruption remote from term. Therefore, in endemic areas, the diagnosis of Q fever requires appropriate surveillance and prenatal care.
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Q fever infection in pregnancy is associated with various maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death, and oligohydramnios. CASE: We describe the cases of two pregnant women remote from term who presented with premature contractions and fever of unknown origin. During their hospitalizations, they had development of near-complete placental abruption. In both cases, immediate delivery ensued. Fever of unknown origin work-up revealed chronic Q fever infection, and polymerase chain reaction investigation of the placenta demonstrated chronic Q fever placentitis. CONCLUSION: Q fever placentitis may result in placental abruption remote from term. Therefore, in endemic areas, the diagnosis of Q fever requires appropriate surveillance and prenatal care.