Maternal infections Witrak

Question 1

Bacterial infections can ascend from the vagina/cervix to infect what?

Answer 1

Fetal membranes (causing chorioamnionitis) 
Amniotic fluid, fetus, placental parenchyma

Question 2

What is the possible results of the ascended infection?

Answer 2

Premature Rupture Of the Membrane (PROM)
Preterm delivery
Fetal sepsis
Endomyometritis

Question 3

What bacteria typically cause ascending infection?

Answer 3

Often more than one kind at once:

Step, E. coli, Ureaplasma, Fusobacterium, Anaerobes

Question 4

What are hematogenous infections?

Answer 4

Infections that can spread through blood…in this case, either transplacentally or via the birth canal

Question 5

What are some hematogenous infections that can spread from mother to fetus?

Answer 5

Malaria
Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis
TB
Rubella
Listeriosis
HBV/HCV
CMV

Question 6

What is the most common viral infection (that is spread from transplacentally)?

Answer 6

CMV

Question 7

What are some fetal infections obtained during passage through the birthing canal?

Answer 7

HSV (if active ulcerations)
Group B Strep
Chlamydia and gonococcus

Question 8

What is the most common cause of life-threatening newborn infection?

Answer 8

Group B Strep

Question 9

What do Chlamydia and gonococcus cause?

Answer 9

Newborn conjunctivitis