Mother-to-child transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas disease): a neglected problem.
Congenital Chagas disease may be considered a global health problem and the underdiagnosis of congenital infections should be a matter of concern. Vertical transmission is an important mode of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in non-endemic areas. Treatment in the early phases of the infection can prevent progression of the disease and is curative in the majority of cases. Prevention strategies should focus on early detection and treatment of congenital cases, screening at-risk women during pregnancy and treatment of non-pregnant women of childbearing age. Management of congenital Chagas disease and T. cruzi infection during pregnancy is discussed.
Tropical Medicine Centre, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid 28034, Spain ffnorman@gmail.com.
Francesca F
FF
Norman
Tropical Medicine Centre, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid 28034, Spain.
Rogelio
R
López-Vélez
D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000151:congenital / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000517:prevention & control; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi
Chagas disease; Congenital; Neglected disease; Pregnancy; Trypanosoma cruzi