Lassa fever: A significant threat to pregnant women and children in West Africa

References Chaudhary M, Cutland CL, Bonet M, et al. Burden of Lassa fever disease in pregnant women and children and options for prevention. Vaccine. 2025;43(Pt 1):126479. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126479 Summary Lassa fever, an acute viral disease endemic in West Africa, demonstrates particularly severe outcomes in neonates, children, and pregnant women. The disease affects approximately 2 million people annually, causing 5,000-10,000 deaths. Case fatality rates are notably high in vulnerable populations: 66.7-75% in neonates, 6-49.3% in children, and 33.7% in pregnant women.  Clinical manifestations include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bleeding complications. The virus shows a high affinity for placental and fetal tissue, contributing to increased disease severity in pregnant women. Maternal infection frequently results in adverse fetal outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and intrauterine death. Four vaccine candidates are currently undergoing clinical trials, though most exclude pregnant women and children. Only one trial includes children aged ≥18 months. Treatment options remain limited, with ribavirin being the primary therapeutic agent, despite limited...