Burden of Dengue in Pregnant Individuals: A Systematic Literature Review

Many infectious diseases are known to have increased severity among pregnant people, yet limited data exist on the burden of dengue in this population. This systematic review collated studies conducted from 2010 onward to capture epidemiological data and a variety of pregnancy outcomes of those infected with dengue during gestation. Among the 23 included publications, dengue infections in pregnant individuals were most frequently contracted in the third trimester. Dengue-infected mothers appear to be associated with a higher risk of maternal mortality (0-21.7%), pregnancy loss (0-11.6%), and preterm birth (4.3-37.5%) compared with healthy mothers. However, heterogeneity of data, missing quantitative comparisons of outcomes in dengue-positive and dengue-negative pregnant people, and lack of standardization of study methods and measurement emphasize an evidence gap. As dengue infections continue to rise and transmission boundaries expand, it is imperative to include pregnant people in dengue studies, surveillance, and public health measures.