Infections During Pregnancy
What infections are most dangerous during pregnancy?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) usually infects the breathing passages and lungs in small children and infants. Adults can also be affected by RSV. Unless they have an impaired immune system, adults have usually the immunity to fight off RSV. However, young children and infants have not yet built up enough immunity so the condition may worsen and lead to other illnesses.
Syphilis is an on-going problem in Mexico. Each year more than 330,000 pregnant women test positive for syphilis. Syphilis can be passed to the infant; resulting in congenital syphilis in some cases. Researchers from Central de Investigaciones in Morelos, Mexico completed a cross-sectional study to update current syphilis status in pregnant women.
Pregnant women who experience a bacterial infection while in a hospital may be at higher risk of having a child with autism, according to a new study. Infections during pregnancy are common and most infections do not increase the risk for autism. Only bacterial infections diagnosed in the hospital were associated with an increased risk for the disorder.
