From Mdwiki | Congenital toxoplasmosis | |
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| Congenital toxoplasmosis | |
| Symptoms | No symptoms, small or large head, visual loss, mental disability, seizures[1] |
| Complications | Miscarriage, stillbirth[2] |
| Usual onset | Very young babies[1] |
| Causes | Toxoplasma gondii[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Blood tests, medical imaging[1] |
Congenital toxoplasmosis is toxoplasmosis infection in a newborn baby.[1] The infection may result in miscarriage or stillbirth.[2] Affected newborns initially may have no symptoms.[1] A small or large head is typical.[2] Eye problems such as eye inflammation or strabismus may develop.[1] The liver and spleen may feel large.[1] Other signs and symptoms include small purplish spots, lung inflammation, diarrhoea, yellow eyes, hypothermia, and a rash.[1] Visual loss, mental disability, and seizures may develop.[2] The condition can lead to death of the baby.[1]
The condition is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, as a result of the mother having the infection during or just before pregnancy.[2][3] Diagnosis is with blood tests on the mother and baby.[1] Pregnant women can be tested for IgM and Immunoglobulin G, although this is not always accurate.[1] Ultrasound in pregnancy may reveal signs in the unborn baby, such as hydrocephalus, brain calcifications, pericarditis, large liver and spleen, or large abdomen.[1] The virus may be isolated from a body fluid.[1]
Prevention is by antenatal screening and avoidance of certain foods such as undercooked meats.[1] Where infection occurs in the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, spiramycin can be offered, as long as the baby is not suspected of being affected.[1] Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid can be offered if infection occurs after 18 weeks gestation, or if amniotic fluid is positive by PCR, or if ultrasound findings highly predict congenital toxoplasmosis.[1] Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid, are also used to treat affected babies.[1] The baby may also require prednisolone.[1]
Globally, around 190,000 babies are born with congenital toxoplasmosis each year.[1] Congenital toxoplasmosis was first described in 1923 by Josef Janku in Prague.[4][5]