Pregnant, newborn most at risk of flu

PITTSBURGH, May 14 (UPI) -- Pregnant women and newborns are at greatest risk in a flu epidemic, but U.S. researchers question whether there are plans for their priority treatment.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh said the study was based on an Internet survey of the 12-member Council of Women's and Infants' Specialty Hospitals, a national organization of non-profits that share information and operational data to improve maternity and newborn care.

Study author Richard Beigi said that although 56 percent of hospitals report that they have begun to address this issue, none have any formal plan yet in place.

"Another complicating factor is that despite the likelihood that this population will have an increased susceptibility to influenza during a pandemic, little data exist on the safety of vaccines and treatments to combat infectious disease in pregnant women and newborns," Beigi said in a statement.

"The encouraging news is that 78 percent of the hospitals that responded have formal written plans in place to address communications, a surge in patient volume and possible degradation of non-essential medical services."

All facilities planned to provide care to their own employees despite the potential for significant shortages of both personnel and supplies, and 56 percent of the hospitals planned to provide augmented day-care services for employees' children.