Pregnancy and Infection

Question 1

Which infections in pregnancy are ONLY harmful to the foetus?

Answer 1

Toxoplasmosis, HSV, syphilis, parvovirus B19, CMV, rubella

Question 2

Which infections in pregnancy can be harmful to the mother and baby?

Answer 2

Hepatitis, VZV and HIV

Question 3

Which infections in pregnancy are just harmful to the mother?

Answer 3

Influenza

Question 4

TORCH - this is an acronym for the infections in pregnancy that can harm the foetus, what does it stand for?

Answer 4

Toxoplasmosis
Other
Rubella
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Herpes simplex virus

Question 5

How is cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmitted?

Answer 5

Saliva, blood, sex, organ transplantation or via mother

Question 6

When is CMV most likely to be passed onto a foetus?

Answer 6

If the mother gets a primary CMV infection in the first trimester

Question 7

What are the complications of congenital cytomegalovirus infection (CMV)?

Answer 7

Sensorineural deafness, intrauterine growth retardation, hepatosplenomegaly and microcephaly

Question 8

What is the commonest congenital cause of sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 8

Congenital CMV infection

Question 9

How is varicella zoster virus (VZV) transmitted?

Answer 9

Extremely infection - droplet and airborne transmission

Question 10

Which virus causes chicken pox?

Answer 10

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)

Question 11

What virus causes shingles?

Answer 11

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)

Question 12

What are the complications of congenital varicella syndrome (infection with VZV)?

Answer 12

Skin lesions causing limb hypoplasia, microcephaly, hydrocephaly, neurodevelopment delay, eye problems, GI problems, miscarriage.

Question 13

How may a child acquire neonatal VZV?

Answer 13

If the mother gets infected with VZV around the time of delivery

Question 14

What name is rubella also known by?

Answer 14

German measles

Question 15

Which virus is responsible for ‘slapped cheek’?

Answer 15

Parvovirus 19

Question 16

What is the cellular target of parvovirus 19?

Answer 16

Slapped cheek - targets erythrocytes

Question 17

Which bacteria is responsible for toxoplasmosis?

Answer 17

Toxoplasma gondii (natural host is the cat)

Question 18

What are the risk factors for developing toxoplasmosis?

Answer 18

Eating cured meat, eating raw meat, gardening and owning a cat

Question 19

What are the consequences of congenital toxoplasmosis?

Answer 19

Intrauterine growth retardation, hydrocephalus, cerebral calcification, microcephaly and hepatosplenomegaly

Question 20

What bacteria causes syphilis?

Answer 20

Treponema pallidum

Question 21

What are the consequences of congenital syphilis?

Answer 21

In first two years: osteochondritis, rash, rhinorrhoea.

After two years: Clutton’s joints, Hutchinson’s teeth, deafness, high-arched palate

Question 22

What is Hutchinson’s triad and what does it suggest?

Answer 22

Suggests congenital syphilis.

Deafness, Hutchinson’s teeth and interstitial keratitis

Question 23

What infections are investigated in the week 12 antenatal screen?

Answer 23

Hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, CMV, toxoplasma and VZV