Gynecology And Obstetrics-

Infections in pregnancy

Synonyms

Chlamydia infection, listeria infection, syphilis infection, rubella infection, chickenpox infection, cytomegalovirus infection, HIV infection, toxoplasmosis infection, fungal infection

introduction

The fruit (child) is threatened by an infection (inflammation) during pregnancy on the one hand already in the womb (by the mother's infected blood, which reaches the fruit in the placenta). On the other hand, especially in the case of genital infections, there is a risk that the fetus will become infected in the birth canals. It is therefore important to check your vaccination protection before a planned pregnancy and to avoid possible sources of infection during pregnancy. The pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, the occurrence of which strongly depends on the mother's country of residence! Infections during pregnancy can lead to a high risk pregnancy.

Read more about this under: Neonatal infection

Infections caused by bacteria

syphilis

The one that has become very rare in our latitudes syphilis can both to Premature birth and Miscarriage as well as being transmitted to the newborn. This happens to the child in the first 2 years of life Rashes and sniff. After the age of 2, deformities appear on the nose, shins and incisors as well Hearing loss on. If the woman is already being treated with antibiotics during pregnancy, infection of the child is easy to prevent.

Chlamydia

This infection through bacteria is one of the most common infant infections in industrialized countries: 6% of all infants are affected. About one in ten pregnant women is infected. Therefore, screening for a questionable infection is usually done at the beginning of pregnancy. The main symptom in women is inflammation of the cervix (Cervicitis). There is an increased risk of having one during pregnancy Premature birth and if the fetus becomes infected in the birth canals, it is usually one Conjunctivitis the consequence. The expectant mother receives antibiotics as therapy. In many clinics, the newborn is given antibiotics to prevent conjunctivitis eye drop administered.
Also read more on the topic: Conjunctivitis in the baby

Listeria

The infection draws the pregnant woman mainly through the consumption of Dairy products and raw meat to. The mother shows hardly any symptoms, but the fetus is through one Miscarriage or Blood poisoning (sepsis) threatened.

Does the newborn put itself under or after the birth there is a risk of Meningitis in the baby (Meningoencephalitis, bacterial meningitis). The treatment is carried out in both mother and newborn babies Antibiotics.

Also read our topic: Tick bites during pregnancy - the dangers

Viruses

rubella

Unfortunately, although vaccination eliminates the risk of infection, not all women take advantage of this. If the mother is infected up to the 12th week of pregnancy (Early pregnancy) suffers the Embryoyo the so-called Gregg Syndrome: Heart defect, Deafness and a cataract (cataract; Clouding of the lens) occur. After that, complications are to be expected in the child, which Nervous system affect. A vaccination is no longer possible during pregnancy.

Note: Post exposure prophylaxis

Infections in pregnancy are dangerous. In the worst case scenario, it can lead to a miscarriage.

If there is no vaccination protection and the pregnant woman comes into contact with an infected person, there is a so-called for up to 8 days after this contact Post exposure prophylaxis possible, which then usually prevents infection. After the 8th day, this prophylaxis can at least postpone the time when the child becomes infected.

chickenpox

It affects pregnant women who have chickenpox infection for the first time during pregnancy. If the infection occurs in the first 6 months of pregnancy, the so-called chickenpox syndrome of the fetus can rarely occur: Malformations of the arms, legs and brain, skin symptoms and a low birth weight occur.

If the infection occurs later, the fruit is adequately protected by maternal antibodies and remains healthy. However, if the infection takes place less than 5 days before the birth, the newborn will also get chickenpox. A third of these affected newborns die. In the case of shingles, the all-clear is required as there is no danger to the unborn child.

Therapy is carried out by administering antibodies within 4 days at the latest in order to ward off the onset of the disease. However, if the pregnant woman is about to give birth, it is worth administering later. The newborn receives the same remedy, even if the mother does not experience symptoms until after birth.

Read more at: chickenpox

Cytomegaly

This frequent infection is only dangerous for the unborn child if it is infected for the first time during pregnancy. If the infection occurs in the first 3 months, malformations in the child are to be expected. If the child becomes infected during the birth, organ enlargements occur liver and spleen (Hepatosplenomegaly), a drop in the number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), skin haemorrhage (petechiae) as well as physical and mental disabilities and hearing loss. Therapy or prevention of the transmission of infection to the unborn child is not possible.

Hepatitis B.

Risk groups such as medical staff or social workers.

A hepatitis B infection (p. Hepatitis B.) is transmitted to the child during pregnancy or during birth. From the 32nd week of pregnancy, the mother is routinely checked for infection. Symptoms are usually not even recognizable in the child, as the disease is mostly chronic and then in a third of the cases into one Cirrhosis of the liver transforms. If the mother's test was positive, the child is actively and passively vaccinated after birth and an outbreak of the disease is usually prevented.

HIV

An HIV-infected pregnant woman transmits the virus to her child in a quarter of all cases. Drug treatment is given and a during pregnancy Caesarean section (Caesarean section) is carried out, only approx.1% of children infected! If the child is infected, it can be prevented by suppressing the Immune system die in the first year of life. However, the course can also be milder and the symptoms only increase slowly.

Info: HIV infection

One should consider HIV-positive mother that her Breast milk is infectious and she should therefore urgently refrain from breastfeeding.

Parasites

Toxoplasmosis

Such a toxoplasmosis infection is contracted by pregnant women through the consumption of raw meat and contact with cat feces. The symptoms are quite normal: swelling of the lymph nodes, fever and general fatigue occur. Here, too, it applies that only an initial infection during pregnancy poses a risk. 50% of the time the child is infected in the womb, but symptoms are usually not seen until after birth. These include the water head (hydrocephalus), calcifications in the brain, inflammation in the eye, as well as jaundice and physical and mental disabilities. In severe cases and in the first trimester of pregnancy, the child can die in the womb or be born prematurely. If the mother is given medication in good time before the 20th week of pregnancy, the course can be mitigated.

Read more about the topic here: Lymph node swelling during pregnancy

Fungal infections

The vaginal mucous membrane (S. vagina) of a pregnant woman is particularly prone to a fungal infection due to the hormonal situation. Nevertheless, because of possible side effects in early pregnancy, only preparations that support the natural vaginal flora should be used (natural yoghurt, vagiflor). Specific antifungal medications (antimycotics) must then be used a few weeks before delivery so that the newborn does not become infected during birth. Otherwise, fungal infections in the mouth and diaper area would occur a few weeks after the birth.

Also read: Vaginal infection, what medicines are there for vaginal thrush?