Chapter 11: Respiratory Complications: Pneumonia

Question 1

Pneumonia

Answer 1

rare

-most common non-obstetric infection that causes maternal mortality during the peripartum period

Question 2

Etiology: Causative Agents

Answer 2

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and viruses (influenza A and varicella) are most causative agents

Question 3

Effects on Pregnancy

Answer 3

can complicate pregnancy at anytime during gestation
-maternal bacteremia, empyema, a need for mechanical intervention, and death have been reported
>may be associated with poor fetal growth, preterm birth, and perinatal loss

Question 4

Management

Answer 4

the normal physiological changes in the respiratory system that occur during pregnancy result in a loss of ventilatory reserve; these changes along with pregnancy-related immunosuppression, place the woman and her fetus at an increased risk for respiratory infection
>any patient suspected of having pneumonia should be managed aggressively with appropriate lab testing, clinical surveillance, and medications