Results Sixty-three admissions with confirmed positive H1N1 RT-PCR occurred between 27/04/09 and 12/01/10. Seventeen (27%) were pregnant and seven (11%) non-pregnant reproductive-age women. Most were either Caucasian (41%) or Asian (33%) despite a predominantly Caucasian population. Presentation was at a median 28⁺⁵ weeks gestation (range 5⁺¹ - 38⁺⁰), eight (47%) in the third and six (35%) in the second trimester. ITU admission occurred in 17% - three pregnant and one non-pregnant woman who died. Two (29%) of the non-pregnant had co-morbidities and one (14%) of the pregnant did. Overall 18 (75%), including all ITU cases, received anti-viral treatment within 48 h. Twelve delivered at a median 39⁺¹ weeks gestation (range 28⁺⁶ - 41⁺⁰), seven (58%) vaginally and in three ITU cases (25%) by emergency caesarean within a week of admission – two under 37⁺⁰ weeks, the only preterm deliveries and SCBU admissions. All 23 survivors were discharged fully recovered and five remain pregnant.

Conclusion The authors support evidence of higher H1N1-associated risk in young, highly gravid, Caucasian or Asian women and highlight them as top-priority for counselling, vaccination, monitoring and prompt treatment in response to this pandemic.