Parasitic infections in pregnancy.
Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide. These infections lead directly and indirectly to a spectrum of adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. With the increase in global travel, healthcare providers will care for women who have recently moved from or traveled to areas where these infections are endemic. We reviewed the literature, assessing case reports, case series, and prospective and retrospective trials, to provide guidelines for management of common parasitic infections in pregnancy. Parasitic infections tend to preferentially affect 1 part of the maternal-fetal unit. Thus, we categorize parasitic infections into those that preferentially cause harm to the mother, preferentially affect the fetus, and preferentially affect the placenta.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Family Physicians, and Nurse Midwives.


OBJECTIVE
After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to differentiate immune modulators associated with parasitic infection and their relationship to adverse pregnancy outcomes; assess the specific effects of certain parasitic infections on the gravid female, her placenta, and her fetus; and in addition, design a treatment regimen for pregnant women presenting with a parasitic infection.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. sarah.dotters-katz@duke.edu
Sarah
S
Dotters-Katz
Jeffrey
J
Kuller
R Phillips
RP
Heine
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents