Fever during pregnancy: beware of complications

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Extract from the article: A fever during pregnancy is never harmless. A fever, even a mild one, needs to be monitored closely. A mild fever lasting more than 24 hours, or a fever of 38.5°C or more, can be harmful to the pregnancy.

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A fever during pregnancy is never harmless. A fever, even a mild one, needs to be monitored closely. A mild fever lasting more than 24 hours, or a fever of 38.5°C or more, can be harmful to the pregnancy.

Any pregnancy can be complicated by fever. Sometimes the fever is accompanied by chills, back pain and burning during urination, leading to pyelonephritis, an infection in the kidney and its ureter.If left untreated, this fever can also develop into influenza.In this case, it manifests itself as boredom in pregnant women. Diseases linked to the consequences of this fever can lead to pulmonary complications. « The complication of fever in a pregnant woman often manifests itself in aches and pains, headaches, a warm body and also contractions, i.e. pain in the lower abdomen », said Grâce Bikonibiyaté Koumayi, a midwife and president of the « Association Faire Autrement » (AFA).

According to scientists, the foetal repercussions of a fever, outside labour, are reflected in reactive foetal tachycardia and a drop in active movements. However, there is a reduction in alterations to the foetal heart rate, leading to a condition known as chorioamniotitis, an acute inflammation of the membranes and placental chorion.

For gynaecologists Dr Bénédicte Girard and Prof Michel Dreyfus from Caen University Hospital in France, the greatest risk of this fever in recent years is also perinatal contamination. This leads to an increase in neonatal mortality caused by bacteria or viruses.It is also at the root of the increase in premature deliveries. « Fever is dangerous for a pregnancy, because it is the infection that causes the fever, and this infection can cause many things.It can cause the cervix to ripen and trigger contractions.So fever can be the cause of premature delivery. In some cases, fever can cause foetal malformation.And when we talk about infections, we're talking about urinary tract infections, rubella, toxoplasmosis and malaria », says Grâce Bikonibiyaté Koumayi.

It's not the fever that's dangerous, but the consequences it has on the foetus. If it is an infection, it must be treated as quickly as possible to avoid premature birth or miscarriage.

Recipe to combat fever: Pour the juice of 1 squeezed lemon into 1 cup of hot water.  Add 1 teaspoon of honey (optional). Drink in small sips if you notice any signs of a cold. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

Elom AKAKPO