Transplacental infection: Frequency, testing, and treatment

BACKGROUND: ). These infections may have serious consequences for the unborn child. In this article, we discuss current aspects of prevention, testing, and treatment. METHODS: This narrative review is based on pertinent publications (1946-1015) retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases, along with the guidelines of medical societies. RESULTS: week of gestation, the rate of vertical transmission is lower, but the potential for permanent harm is markedly higher than in the second half of pregnancy. 5-50% of transplacental infections lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Most infected fetuses are asymptomatic at birth, but there is still a 7-14% risk of sensorineural hearing loss from CMV and a 10-30% risk of retinochoroiditis from toxoplasmosis. Up to 60% of symptomatic neonates have long-term neurocognitive sequelae. Anti-infectious treatment is therefore indicated. CONCLUSION: The most important preventive measures are hygiene education for pregnant women and prophylaxis against exposure. Anti-infectious treatment of pregnant women can reduce the risk of transmission, and the treatment of symptomatic neonates can improve the outcome.