Neonatal, Perinatal & Congenital Infections

Question 1

Perinatal/neonatal infections are acquired:

Answer 1

during/immediately after birth or in the first 4 weeks of life.

Question 2

Why are newborns particularly susceptible to infection?

Answer 2

Immature immunity & breached skin barrier from birth.

Question 3

What are the risks associated with neonatal herpes?

Answer 3

Disseminated Herpes infection.

Encephalitis (fatal to newborns).

Question 4

Streptococcus agalactiae causes neonatal:

Answer 4

meningitis & sepsis.

Question 5

What are the risk factors of early onset Streptococcus agalactiae infection?

Answer 5

Prematurity.

Prolonged rupture of membranes (long time between water breaking & delivery).

Question 6

What is the difference between early & late onset Streptococcus agalactiae infection?

Answer 6

Early: 2-7 days, more common, pathogens acquired at birth.
Late: 7-12 days, less common, pathogens acquired from mother/nurses/visitors.

Question 7

How does Streptococcus agalactiae enter the neonate’s body?

Answer 7

Through their respiratory tract.

Question 8

What are complications with neonatal E. coli/G- infections?

Answer 8

Meningitis, sepsis.

Question 9

Neonatal chlamydia usually begins as an ___ infection but can progress to:

Answer 9

eye; pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis.

Question 10

Neonatal gonorrhoea causes:

Answer 10

ophthalmia neonatorum.

Question 11

A complication of neonatal gonorrhoea is:

Answer 11

sepsis.

Question 12

In congenital infections, infection occurs:

Answer 12

in utero.

Question 13

Congenital infections are usually due to _______ infection of the mother during pregnancy.

Answer 13

primary.

Question 14

The fetus is at highest risk for abnormalities/complications if infected during the ___ trimester.

Answer 14

1st.

Question 15

Do pregnant mothers usually show symptoms of their fetus’ having a congenital infection?

Answer 15

No, they’re usually asymptoms.

Question 16

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) symptoms may not be apparent until:

Answer 16

~15 years of age.

Question 17

The earlier in life the hepatitis infection, the ______ chance that it will become ______.

Answer 17

greater; chronic.

Question 18

Chronic hepatitis infections cause an increased risk of:

Answer 18

liver cancer.

Question 19

How do we try to prevent neonatal infections of hepatitis?

Answer 19

We vaccinate newborns with Hep B vaccine & give them hepatitis immunoglobin.

Question 20

When is the fetus especially susceptible to congenital rubella infection?

Answer 20

1st trimester.

Question 21

Rubella is a ___ virus.

Answer 21

RNA.

Question 22

Congenital toxoplasmosis is usually __________ in the fetus.

Answer 22

asymptomatic.

Question 23

The WHO recommends mothers with HIV to:

Answer 23

have C-sections and avoid breastfeeding unless recommended/necessary.

Question 24

When can HIV be transmitted to the fetus?

Answer 24

During gestation, at delivery or by breastfeeding.

Question 25

Mothers and babies with _______ _ deficiency are at increased risk for HIV infection.

Answer 25

Vitamin A.

Question 26

Infection of fetuses with HIV seems to be more common during:

Answer 26

the last 2 months of pregnancy.

Question 27

Congenital syphilis is transmitted to the fetus via:

Answer 27

placenta.

Question 28

What is a characteristic abnormality of congenital syphilis infection?

Answer 28

Hutchinson’s teeth: soft, notched teeth.

Question 29

How can we prevent congenital infections? (3 ways)

Answer 29

Screening during pregnancy.
Reduction of infection rates in the population.
Vaccination where possible.