title: Listeriosis revisited: the role of the obstetrician.
abstract: The clinical course and outcome is described of three pregnancies complicated by listeriosis encountered during a 6-month period. All three ended in preterm labour characterized by the passage of meconium by the fetus. Two babies died in the early neonatal period and the third survived with neurological handicap. Although the diagnosis of listeriosis was made only after delivery, all the mothers had a pyrexial illness before delivery. A high index of suspicion is needed for the early detection and prompt treatment of this life-threatening perinatal infection. Effective advice concerning prevention of listeriosis by avoidance of high-risk foods must be given to women during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: King's College Hospital, London, Department of Child Health.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buchdahl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hird
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gamsu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tapp
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibb
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tzannatos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000209:etiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors