2614. Trends in characteristics of influenza-associated hospitalizations among pregnant women, FluSurv-NET 2015-2016 through 2022-2023 seasons
Authors: Bozio Catherine , Ujamaa Dawud , Dawood Fatimah S , Chai Shua , Kirley Pam Daily , Alden Nisha B , Austin Elizabeth , Desiato Julia , Yousey-Hindes Kimberly , Fawcett Emily , Openo Kyle P , Monroe Maya , Ryan Patricia A , Falkowski Anna , Kim Sue , Lynfield Ruth , McMahon Melissa , Angeles Kathy , Khanlian Sarah , Engesser Kerianne , Spina Nancy L , Felsen Christina B , Gaitan Maria , Moran Nancy E , Shiltz Eli , Hendrick Andie , Sutton Melissa , Schaffner William , Talbot H Keipp , Hill Mary , Price Andrea , O’Halloran Alissa , Garg Shikha 
Published: November 2023

Background

Surveillance data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) detected an increase over time in the proportion of hospitalized women of child-bearing age with laboratory-confirmed influenza who were pregnant. We sought to describe changes in patient characteristics to explain this observed trend.

Methods

FluSurv-NET conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in 13 states. We limited the analysis to women of child-bearing age. Charts were abstracted for all cases in all seasons except the 2022-23 season when a sample of cases were abstracted. Weighted proportions were reported in the 2022-23 season due to sampling. We excluded data from the 2019-20 season (data collection ongoing) and the 2020-21 season (low influenza hospitalization rates).

Results

The proportions of hospitalized women of child-bearing age with influenza who were pregnant were 25.4%-29.4% during the 2015-19 seasons and increased to 35.2%-37.4% during the 2021-23 seasons. Among hospitalized pregnant women with influenza, the proportions with ≥1 respiratory symptom at admission were high (78.2%-84.8%) across the 2015-19 seasons and decreased to 44.0%-56.5% during the 2021-23 seasons. The proportions who were admitted during their third trimester increased from 54.4%-66.8% across the 2015-19 seasons to 75.1%-80.7% during 2021-23 seasons. Among hospitalized pregnant women with respiratory symptoms, the proportions receiving antiviral treatment decreased from the 2015-19 seasons to the 2021-23 seasons (90.3%-95.1% vs. 79.0%-79.6%, respectively).

Conclusion

In recent seasons, changes in characteristics and treatment of hospitalized pregnant women with influenza suggest that influenza may not be the primary reason for admission for an increasing proportion of pregnant women detected in FluSurv-NET since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; these findings may in part be driven by changes in influenza testing practices. Receipt of antiviral treatment among symptomatic hospitalized pregnant women also decreased in the past two seasons, highlighting the need to improve antiviral use among this group at increased risk for severe illness from influenza.

Disclosures

Dawud Ujamaa, MS, GDIT: Employee Anna Falkowski, Master of Science, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: Grant/Research Support Sue Kim, MPH, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: Grant/Research Support