The pregnant traveler.

ABSTRACT

The care of the pregnant traveler is both challenging and rewarding. It requires clinical information and skills that are derived from many disciplines. This article reviews preparatory guidelines for safe travel by the pregnant mother and her most important travel companion, the developing fetus. Issues considered are pretravel risk assessment, immunizations, and prevention of travelers' diarrhea and hepatitis. The safety and efficacy of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the present context of widespread multidrug-resistant malaria is discussed, and guidelines are offered for both prevention and treatment. A safety profile of commonly used travel medications, antibiotics, and antiparasitic drugs is reviewed.