Case of Legionnaires disease in a neonate following a home birth in a heated birthing pool, England, June 2014

Euro Surveill. 2014 Jul 24;19(29):20857. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.29.20857.

Abstract

Public Health England was notified of Legionnaires' disease in a neonate following a home birth in a heated birthing pool filled from the domestic hot water supply two weeks earlier. We describe the incident, sampling results, and public health actions. It is recommended that heated birthing pools should not be used for home births. Neonates developing pneumonia within 14 days of labour or birth in any birthing pool should be tested for Legionnaires' disease.

MeSH terms

  • Baths
  • Delivery, Obstetric / adverse effects*
  • Delivery, Obstetric / methods
  • England
  • Female
  • Home Childbirth*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Legionella pneumophila / isolation & purification
  • Legionnaires' Disease / diagnosis
  • Legionnaires' Disease / microbiology*
  • Midwifery*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Supply