Virology: Fetus & Newborn infections

Question 1

Define congenital

Answer 1

Born with & acquired before birth

Question 2

Define vertical transmission

Answer 2

From mother to baby

Question 3

Define teratogen

Answer 3

Agent causing malformation in developing fetus

Question 4

Define intrauterine

Answer 4

In uterus

Question 5

Define intrapartum

Answer 5

During labor/delivery

Question 6

Define perinatal

Answer 6

Week before/after delivery

Question 7

Define neonatal:

Answer 7

From birth to 4 weeks of age

Question 8

When can infection occur

Answer 8

In placenta (congenital)
At birth (intrapartum)
With breastfeeding

Question 9

What is the most common congenital abnormality cause

Answer 9

Non-infectious causes

Question 10

In what state is the mother’s immune system

Answer 10

Immunosuppressed

Question 11

What is 3 things occur due to immunosuppression in mother

Answer 11

Latent viruses can be reactivated
Infection cleared by cell mediated immunity takes longer
Protection for two people

Question 12

What makes acute/systemic infections
more severe

Answer 12

Immunosuppressed + hypermetabolic state

Question 13

What is the 3 routes of infection

Answer 13

1. Intrauterine:
2. Intrapartum:
3. Neonatal/postpartum:

Question 14

What is 2 ways of intrauterine infections

Answer 14

1. Transplacental infection due to maternal viraemia/bacteremia
2. Ascending infection after premature rupture of membrane

Question 15

What is 2 ways of intrapartum infections

Answer 15

i. Infection from birth canal during passage
ii. Fecal contamination

Question 16

What is 3 ways of postpartum infections

Answer 16

Contact with other humans, breast milk & environment

Question 17

What is 5 general principles of intra-uterine infections

Answer 17

1. Organisms
2. Pathophysiology
3. Timing in pregnancy
4. Primary vs recurrent infection
5. Persistent infection of fetus

Question 18

What is the 3 types of organims that infect intra-uterine

Answer 18

Bacteria
Virus
Protozoa

Question 19

What is the pathogenesis intra-uterine infections

Answer 19

1. Teratogens interfere with organogenesis (organ & tissue formation)
2. Damage of formed organ/tissue
3. Abnormal physiological process (fever & maternal immune response, placental function & RBC synthesis)

Question 20

When is the fetus at higher risk for effects of teratogens/infections

Answer 20

Early infection

Question 21

What is the risk of primary intra-uterine infection

Answer 21

Higher risk because lack of pre-existing maternal immunity

Question 22

What is a recurrent infection intra-uterine

Answer 22

Lower risk

Question 23

3 reasons why infections tends to persist on fetus

Answer 23

1. Lack of mature immune system
2. Clearance of infection occur later/never
3. Ongoing destruction after birth

Question 24

What type of infection is rubella

Answer 24

A persistent infection common in childhood illnes

Question 25

When does infection need to occur for abnormalities to be present

Answer 25

First trimester/6 months
After 18 weeks less likely

Question 26

Congenital infection primary vs secondary risks

Answer 26

flow diagram

Question 27

What is the 5 transient symptoms in CMV infection

Answer 27

LBW
Hepatosplenomegaly
Thrombocytopenia
Microcephaly
Chorioretinitis

Question 28

What is the 2 ongoing symptoms in CMV infection

Answer 28

Hearing loss (most common non-genetic cause of deafness)
Intellectual disability

Question 29

What is the 4 symptoms of parvovirus

Answer 29

Fever
Rash
Arthritis
Hematological complications

Question 30

When & how it parvovirus detected

Answer 30

During ultrasound in 2nd trimester

Question 31

What is Hydrops fetalis

Answer 31

Fetal anemia & cardiac failure

Question 32

What is treatment for Hydrops fetalis

Answer 32

In-utero transfusion of RBC