CHP investigates case of intrauterine death

20 Jan 2010

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, through a surveillance system established since the launch of the human swine influenza (HSI) vaccination programme, today (January 20) received report about a case of intrauterine death (IUD) involving a 37-year-old pregnant woman.

The woman is now staying at Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) in stable condition.

CHP's investigation showed that the woman at 28 weeks of gestation was suffering from a medical condition and she was on regular medications. She was followed up at TMH and Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) for this pregnancy.

Examination performed at MCHC on January 5 was normal. On January 19, she reported decreased foetal movement and no foetal heart sound could be detected while she attended the MCHC. She was referred and admitted to TMH and intrauterine death was confirmed.

She received HSI vaccination at MCHC on December 28, 2009.

Investigations for common causes of intrauterine death including infection, genetic and metabolic disorders are being carried out. In Hong Kong, about 150 to 220 stillbirths are recorded every year.

A CHP spokesman said that there is no medical evidence presently to suggest that the intrauterine death was related to HSI vaccination.

According to the World Health Organization, studies to date do not show harmful effects from the HSI vaccine with respect to pregnancy or a developing embryo or foetus.

On the other hand, the chances of HSI infected pregnant women requiring hospitalisation in intensive care units are 10 times higher than those of infected persons in the general population and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.

Cases of IUD following HSI vaccination have also been recorded and monitored in overseas countries. So far no causal relationship is found between HSI vaccination and IUD.

The CHP will closely monitor the clinical progress and further laboratory results of this woman.