Clinical presentation of pregnant women in isolation units for Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone, 2014

Abstract

Objectives:

To examine Ebola virus disease (EVD) symptom prevalence and EVD status among pregnant women in Ebola isolation units in Sierra Leone.

Methods:

In an observational study, data were obtained for pregnant women admitted to Ebola isolation units across four districts in Sierra Leone from June 29, 2014, to December 20, 2014. Women were admitted to isolation units if they had suspected EVD exposures or fever (temperature >38°C) and three or more self-reported symptoms suggestive of EVD. Associations were examined between EVD status and each symptom using χ ² tests and logistic regression adjusting for age/labor status.

Results:

Of 176 pregnant women isolated, 55 (32.5%) tested positive for EVD. Using logistic regression models adjusted for age, EVD-positive women were significantly more likely to have fever, self-reported fatigue/weakness, nausea/vomiting, headache, muscle/joint pain, chest pain, vaginal bleeding, unexplained bleeding, or sore throat upon admission. In models adjusted for age/labor, only women with fever or vaginal bleeding upon admission were significantly more likely to be EVD-positive.

Conclusions:

Several EVD symptoms and complications increased the odds of testing EVD-positive; some of these were also signs and symptoms of labor/pregnancy complications. The study results highlight the need to refine screening for pregnant women with EVD.