Maternal Infection and Adverse Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes

Abstract

Adverse pregnancy outcomes can follow direct placental, fetal, or neonatal infection, or preterm birth associated with vaginal, cervical, intrauterine, or even nonpelvic infections. These latter infections appear to be associated with the majority of very early preterm births, and may explain some of the long-term neurologic damage associated with preterm birth. Bacterial vaginosis and its associated intrauterine infections likely contribute far more to the overall burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes than the more classical perinatal infections such as rubella and syphilis.

Maternal Endotoxin-Induced Preterm Birth in Mice: Fetal Responses in Toll-Like Receptors, Collectins, and Cytokines

“…The present model of transplacental inflammation differs from the ascending intrauterine inflammation that is the major preterm labor-producing inflammatory pathway in human pregnancies (2,27). The intraamniotic inflammation is considered to be an extension of the ascending inflammation via cervix and decidual space characterized by activation of proinflammatory cytokines and accumulation of polymorphonuclear cells in fetal membranes and in fetal lung (28 -30).…”

Psychiatric Variables in <i>Cytomegalovirus</i> or <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>—Infected Pregnants: Prospects for Cure with a Program of “Counseling about Behavioral Change”

“…Our study suggests the presence of anxiety and somatization in pregnant women infected with T. gondii or CMV. These psychiatric symptoms could be the expression of a phase of emotional fragility with the concern of transmitting a serious disease to the unborn child [16]. The program "Counseling about behavioral change" has allowed us to create an atmosphere of trust and to understand how useful the technique of "empathic listening" was.…”

Congenital Anomalies at Birth: A Hospital Based Study in UAE

“…However many other studies have shown that maternal syphilis may lead to several adverse pregnancy outcomes such as abortions, still births, Intra-uterine growth restriction and congenital anomalies 19 .…”

“…Studies have shown that maternal HBV status does not increase the risk of congenital anomalies, and the sequelae of perinatal hepatitis B infection is usually not symptomatic in the neonatal period 19 .…”