Neonatal, Perinatal & Congenital Infections Flashcards
Perinatal/neonatal infections are acquired:
during/immediately after birth or in the first 4 weeks of life.
Why are newborns particularly susceptible to infection?
Immature immunity & breached skin barrier from birth.
What are the risks associated with neonatal herpes?
Disseminated Herpes infection.
Encephalitis (fatal to newborns).
Streptococcus agalactiae causes neonatal:
meningitis & sepsis.
What are the risk factors of early onset Streptococcus agalactiae infection?
Prematurity.
Prolonged rupture of membranes (long time between water breaking & delivery).
What is the difference between early & late onset Streptococcus agalactiae infection?
Early: 2-7 days, more common, pathogens acquired at birth.
Late: 7-12 days, less common, pathogens acquired from mother/nurses/visitors.
How does Streptococcus agalactiae enter the neonate’s body?
Through their respiratory tract.
What are complications with neonatal E. coli/G- infections?
Meningitis, sepsis.
Neonatal chlamydia usually begins as an ___ infection but can progress to:
eye; pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis.
Neonatal gonorrhoea causes:
ophthalmia neonatorum.
A complication of neonatal gonorrhoea is:
sepsis.
In congenital infections, infection occurs:
in utero.
Congenital infections are usually due to _______ infection of the mother during pregnancy.
primary.
The fetus is at highest risk for abnormalities/complications if infected during the ___ trimester.
1st.
Do pregnant mothers usually show symptoms of their fetus’ having a congenital infection?
No, they’re usually asymptoms.
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) symptoms may not be apparent until:
~15 years of age.
The earlier in life the hepatitis infection, the ______ chance that it will become ______.
greater; chronic.
Chronic hepatitis infections cause an increased risk of:
liver cancer.
How do we try to prevent neonatal infections of hepatitis?
We vaccinate newborns with Hep B vaccine & give them hepatitis immunoglobin.
When is the fetus especially susceptible to congenital rubella infection?
1st trimester.
Rubella is a ___ virus.
RNA.
Congenital toxoplasmosis is usually __________ in the fetus.
asymptomatic.
The WHO recommends mothers with HIV to:
have C-sections and avoid breastfeeding unless recommended/necessary.
When can HIV be transmitted to the fetus?
During gestation, at delivery or by breastfeeding.
Mothers and babies with _______ _ deficiency are at increased risk for HIV infection.
Vitamin A.
Infection of fetuses with HIV seems to be more common during:
the last 2 months of pregnancy.
Congenital syphilis is transmitted to the fetus via:
placenta.
What is a characteristic abnormality of congenital syphilis infection?
Hutchinson’s teeth: soft, notched teeth.
How can we prevent congenital infections? (3 ways)
Screening during pregnancy.
Reduction of infection rates in the population.
Vaccination where possible.
