A complication of pneumonia in pregnancy can include which of the following?

• A. Preterm labor with an SGA infant
• B. Gestational diabetes
• C. Placental abruption
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Infection during pregnancy can trigger preterm labor and fetal growth restriction due to the body's inflammatory response and reduced oxygen delivery to the fetus. Pneumonia causes fever and systemic inflammatory mediators that can stimulate uterine contractions and prostaglandin production, increasing the risk of preterm labor. At the same time, maternal hypoxemia from pneumonia can compromise placental blood flow, contributing to restricted fetal growth and a small-for-gestational-age infant.

Gestational diabetes, placental abruption, and hypertension are not typical direct complications of pneumonia; they may occur with other risk factors or conditions, but the most likely complication linked to a pneumonia episode is preterm labor with an SGA infant.