Congenital Infections

Question 1

define toxoplasmosis

Answer 1

an infection caused by the protozoan parasite toxoplasma gondii

Question 2

common places to find toxoplasma gondii

Answer 2

cat faeces

infected meat or soil

Question 3

clinical features of congenital toxoplasmosis

Answer 3

CNS problems (e.g. cerebral palsy, epilepsy or hydrocephalus)
learning disability
visual impairment
hearing loss

Question 4

clinical features of toxoplasmosis gondii infection in women

Answer 4

asymptomatic

mild-like flu symptoms

Question 5

investigations for congenital toxoplasmosis

Answer 5

amniocentesis

maternal IgM testing

Question 6

management of congenital toxoplasmosis

Answer 6

spiramycin - reduce transmission to the child

Question 7

define congenital varicella syndrome

Answer 7

an infection of the mother with varicella zoster virus during the first trimester of pregnancy

Question 8

management of a non-immune pregnant woman with varicella-zoster infection

Answer 8

immunoglobulin prophylaxis

24hr onset from rash: acyclovir

Question 9

management of neonate if exposed to varicella-zoster infection

Answer 9

IV acyclovir

Question 10

clinical features of congenital varicella syndrome

Answer 10

low birth weight 
limb hypoplasia 
skin scarring 
microcephaly 
eye defects 
learning disabilities

Question 11

define listeriosis

Answer 11

a condition due to the pathogen listeria monocytogenes

Question 12

how is listeria monocytogenes contracted?

Answer 12

contaminated foods (unpasturised dairy and soft cheeses)

Question 13

clinical features of listeriosis

Answer 13

neonatal sepsis
meningitis 
respiratory distress 
chorioamniocentesis
premature labour

Question 14

management of listeriosis

Answer 14

ampicillin and aminoglycoside

Question 15

preventative management of listeriosis

Answer 15

avoid potentially contaminated food products

if have unexplained illness, cultures should be done

Question 16

define congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Answer 16

an infection of pregnant women by cytomegalovirus that trasmits to the developing foetus

Question 17

clinical features of cytomegalovirus disease at birth

Answer 17

low birth weight 
jaundice 
microcephaly 
seizures 
pneumonia 
petechial rash

Question 18

consequences of cytomegalovirus infection

Answer 18

hearing loss
visual impairment
learning disability

Question 19

investigations of cytomegalovirus infection

Answer 19

ultrasound

amniocentesis

Question 20

define congenital rubella syndrome

Answer 20

contraction of rubella during pregnancy that affects the developing foetus

Question 21

clinical features of rubella syndrome

Answer 21

petechial rash of “blueberry muffin’ appearance
sensorineural deafness
cataracts or retinopathy
congenital heart disease - “machine-like’ murmur
organ dysfunction
microcephaly
hydrocephalus