Evaluation of preterm births and birth defects in liveborn infants of US military women who received smallpox vaccine

Abstract

Results may be reassuring that smallpox vaccine, when inadvertently administered to pregnant women, is not associated with preterm delivery or birth defects in liveborn infants.

Health outcomes among infants born to women deployed to United States military operations during pregnancy

“…Findings of this study are consistent with findings from other recent evaluations of inadvertent deployment-related exposures to military women during pregnancy (Ryan et al, 2008a;Ryan et al, 2008b;Ryan and Seward, 2008). Although results have been reassuring to date, it remains important to evaluate specific military occupational exposures, separately and in combination, and their potential effects on reproductive health.…”

“…Several environmental hazards were identified as specific reproductive health concerns in the 1991 Gulf War theater (Arfsten et al, 2001;Reutman et al, 2002;Wheeler et al, 1994). Measures intended to prevent illness in troops, including pesticides, prophylactic medications, and some immunizations, have also been considered potential reproductive health hazards (Hanke and Jurewicz, 2004;Jacobson et al, 2008a;Ryan et al, 2008a;Ryan et al, 2008b;Ryan and Seward, 2008). The spectrum of reproductive health concerns includes effects among both men and women, and outcomes ranging from fertility challenges to infant health problems.…”

Defending against smallpox: a focus on vaccines

“…Pregnancy is a standard counter indication for smallpox vaccine. During recent smallpox vaccination campaigns, women inadvertently vaccinated during early pregnancy were tracked and no associations were found between vaccination and preterm delivery or birth defects [95]. …”

Neonatal death: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data

“…The most common methods for determining gestational age were last (normal) menstrual period (LMP) or ultra sound scanning which was well described in the papers reviewed from well-resourced settings [15], [20], [25], [26]. Clinical examination of pregnant woman has also been used to determine gestational age [27].…”