Complications
Lassa fever can be especially severe in late pregnancy. Maternal death and/or fetal loss occurs in more than 80% of cases during the third trimester.[2]
Sensorineural deafness occurs in around 25% of patients who survive the disease, which may be permanent in some cases.[6] Around 50% of patients will have a partial return of hearing after 1 to 3 months. It does not appear to be related to disease severity. In one small study carried out in the general population in Sierra Leone, 81% of local residents who experienced sudden deafness had antibodies to Lassa virus versus 19% of matched controls.[45]
Long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae have been noted, including sleep disturbance, psychosis, hallucinations, and depression.[46]
May occur during recovery.
May occur during recovery.
Polyserositis (inflammation of serous membranes [e.g., peritoneum, pericardium, pleura] with effusion) has been described as a rare complication after recovery and should, therefore, be considered during monitoring.[47]
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