Rubella embryopathy is well recognised, and the aim of
vaccination programmes against rubella-virus during childhood
is to reduce the number of non-immune girls reaching
childbearing age. The presence of rubella-specific IgM in fetal
or neonatal blood samples identifies babies infected in utero.
Cytomegalovirus is a common infection and 5–6% of pregnant
women may become infected. Only 3% of newborn infants,
however, have evidence of cytomegalovirus infection, and no
more than 5% of these develop subsequent problems. Infection
with cytomegalovirus does not always confer natural immunity,
and occasionally more than one sibling has been affected by
intrauterine infection. Unlike for rubella, vaccines against
cytomegalovirus or toxoplasma are not available, and although
active maternal toxoplasmosis can be treated with drugs such as
pyrimethamine, this carries the risk of teratogenesis.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment