Seasonal Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy and the Risks of Preterm Delivery and Small for Gestational Age Birth

Authors

Katherine A. Ahrens PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public ServiceFollow
Carol Louik, Boston University
Stephen Kerr, Boston University
Allen A. Mitchell, Boston University
Martha M. Werler, Boston University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-21-2014

Publication Title

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology

Keywords

infant, influenza, pregnancy, preterm birth, small for gestational age, vaccination

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination is routinely recommended for pregnant women, yet information on perinatal outcomes is sparse. METHODS: We investigated the associations between trivalent (seasonal) influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risks of preterm delivery (PTD, live birth <37 weeks gestation) and small for gestational age birth (SGA, <10th percentile in weight for sex-specific gestational age) during the influenza seasons 2006-07 through 2009-10. The study population included 1619 mothers of live-born, non-malformed singleton infants interviewed as part of the Slone Epidemiology Center's Birth Defects Study. Associations between influenza vaccination and PTD and SGA were assessed using Cox and logistic regression models, respectively, with propensity scores used to adjust for confounding. Women vaccinated against pandemic H1N1 were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination during pregnancy showed a near null association with PTD for influenza seasons 2006-07 through 2008-09 compared with unvaccinated women [adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) ranged from 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28, 2.21] in 2007-08 to 1.08 [95% CI: 0.40, 2.95] in 2008-09]. For 2009-10, the risk of PTD was higher in vaccinated women (aHR, 7.81 [95% CI: 2.66, 23.0]). Influenza vaccination was not associated with appreciable risks for SGA for all seasons with sufficient numbers of exposed SGA. CONCLUSION: Though limited by study size, these findings add support to previous observations of little or no increased risk of PTD or SGA associated with seasonal influenza vaccination for three of the four influenza seasons in our study. The increased risk of PTD observed for the 2009-10 influenza season warrants further investigation.

Comments

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Recommended Citation

Ahrens, K.A., Kerr, S., Louik, C., Mitchell, A.A., & Werler, M.M. (2014). Seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risks of preterm delivery and small for gestational age birth. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 28(6), 498-509.