Infection that affects an unborn fetus at any time during a pregnancy up through and including the time of delivery. Congenital infections exist at birth and are generally caused by viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes viruses, German measles, parvovirus, chickenpox, and enteroviruses.
This refers to an infection that a baby contracts while in the womb or during the process of birth.
Numerous microorganisms can traverse from the mother, through the placenta, into the blood circulation of the developing fetus. Some notably severe infections that can be contracted in the womb include rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus. All these infections have the potential to cause intrauterine growth retardation. If rubella is contracted early in pregnancy, it may lead to deafness, congenital heart disease, and eye disorders.
Certain diseases contracted during later stages of pregnancy can also inflict severe harm on the fetus. One example is an infection caused by the herpes virus. A woman infected with HIV runs the risk of transmitting it to her baby during pregnancy, although this risk can be minimized by utilizing antiretroviral drugs during the pregnancy.
The approach to treating the baby is contingent upon the specific type of infection. Certain birth defects triggered by infections, like certain types of heart defects, can be managed and treated. Conversely, conditions like congenital deafness, arising from infections, are typically not amenable to treatment.