Maternal Infection

Question 1

Causative organism for measles

Answer 1

Paramyxovirus

Question 2

Measles - teratogenic or not ?

Answer 2

Non-teratogenic

However, high fever can cause IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), microcephaly, stillbirth, miscarriage
+ higher mortality rate if mother develops pneumonia and encephalitis

Question 3

Causative organism of chickenpox

Answer 3

Varicella zoster virus

Question 4

Treatment for maternal chickenpox in >20 weeks

Answer 4

Acyclovir should be considered (800mg, 5p.d., 7 days)

Question 5

Maternal chickenpox from 7-28 weeks leads to…

Answer 5

Foetal varicella syndrome

• Hypoplasia of limbs
• Psychomotor retardation
• Cutaneous scarring
• Microcephaly/hydrocephaly/microsomia

Question 6

Treatment for cytomegalovirus

Answer 6

Valacyclovir

Question 7

Mumps - teratogenic ?

Answer 7

No ill effects on pregnancy

Question 8

Zika virus birth defects

Answer 8

Microcephaly
Brain defects
Problems with hearing and vision
Joints with limited range of motion
Seizures/hypertonia - restricts movement
Swallowing abnormalities

Question 9

Should pregnant women take the Covid-19 vaccine ?

Answer 9

Yes - recommended

Question 10

Risk of foetal infection in genital herpes ?

Answer 10

High

Question 11

% chance of vertical transmission in HIV ?

Answer 11

14-25%

(Higher in preterm birth and PPROM)

Question 12

How to reduce risk of vertical transmission of HIV?

Answer 12

Caesarean section (reduces risk by 50%)

Question 13

Definition of sepsis

Answer 13

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body’s response to infection

Question 14

Key features of sepsis

Answer 14

RR >22
Tachycardia (HR >100bpm)
High or low temp (>38 or <35)
BP <90mm/Hg

Question 15

Listeriosis perinatal mortality

Answer 15

50%

(Pregnant people are 10 times more likely to be infected)

Question 16

Prevention of listeria infection =

Answer 16

Don’t consume:
- unpasteurised milk
- soft cheese
- refrigerated smoked seafood