title: [Viral infections in pregnancy bearing a risk for the child].
abstract: Specific viral infections during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus or newborn. Infections transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy are called prenatal or congenital infections, whereas infections passed from mother to child during delivery or in the first weeks after birth are called perinatal or neonatal infections. Vertical transmission risk depends on the virus, maternal immunity against this virus and gestational age. Interpretation of microbiological diagnostics for possible intrauterine infection requires specific knowledge on sensitivity and specificity of different assays in relation to the presumed moment of infection. Some of the prenatal and perinatal infections can be prevented by vaccination and by 1st trimester screening in pregnancy, followed by preventive measures. Infections with CMV and parvovirus B19 can have serious consequences for the fetus and newborn. There are no effective preventive or intervention options at this time.
authors.affiliation: Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Medische Microbiologie, Leiden.
authors.forename: Ann C T M
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vossen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control