Infectious diseases during pregnancy and delivery can cause potentially life-threatening complications for the mother and newborn. It’s estimated that 1 in 200 babies are born with an infectious disease.
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Facts about Infectious Diseases Impacting Infants
What is perinatal hepatitis C?
Perinatal hepatitis C (HCV) occurs when a pregnant person with HCV passes the virus to their child during pregnancy or childbirth. Currently, there is not a method to prevent HCV transmission to the newborn; however, routine screening during pregnancy is recommended regardless of risk factors. Children born with HCV can experience low birth weight, be small for gestational age and suffer potential long-term liver problems.
What is congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV)?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus found in people of all ages. Once CMV is in a person’s body, it stays there for life and can reoccur. While most healthy people’s immune systems can prevent the virus from causing illness, CMV can be dangerous for newborns. About 1 in 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection and 1 in 5 babies with congenital CMV infection will have birth defects or other long-term health problems. Babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung and growth problems. The most common long-term health problem in babies born with CMV infection is hearing loss.
What is congenital syphilis?
Congenital syphilis is a severe infection that occurs when a fetus is infected with syphilis during pregnancy. It can cause serious health problems, including stillbirth and infant death. Syphilis screening and treatment during pregnancy can prevent complications to the fetus.
Provider Need to Know Info​
NAPNAP invites all APRNs caring for infants to participate in new evidence-based courses from our project, Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby: Strengthening Nurse Practitioner Education on Emerging Health Threats for Newborns and Infants, supported by the CDC Foundation. These continuing education activities are offered free to NAPNAP members and non-members.
TeamPeds Talks
Coming soon – podcast episodes from NAPNAP experts on threats to maternal/infant health.
Patient Need to Know
Finding out your unborn or newborn child is infected can be overwhelming for your family. Your health care team is here to help. They have the latest research and guidelines to give you the best advice and support. If you have any questions, ask your obstetric health care provider or your infant’s pediatric provider to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan in a way that is easy to understand.
Resources for Patient Families
NAPNAP experts have curated easy to understand resources from reputable organizations and sources.
Perinatal Hepatitis C Resources
- What is Hepatitis C? – NAPNAP/KidsHealth
- Hepatitis C: What Parents Need to Know –Â AAP Healthy Children
- Caring for Your Baby with Hepatitis C – NY State Department of Health
- Find a Hep C Healthcare Professional and Prepare for Your Visit –Â HepC.com
Congenital CMV Resources
- What Is Cytomegalovirus? – Â NAPNAP/KidsHealth
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections: What Parents Need to Know – AAP Healthy Children
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection – CDC
- CMV Fact Sheet for Pregnant Women and Parents – CDC
- National CMV Foundation
- Baby’s First TestÂ
Congenital Syphilis ResourcesÂ
- What is Syphilis? –Â NAPNAP/KidsHealth
- Congenital Syphilis Infections: Signs, Testing, Treatment & Prevention –Â AAP Healthy Children
- About Congenital Syphilis –Â CDC
- Protect Your Baby from Syphilis (infographic) – March of Dimes
- Getting Tested for STIs – CDC
- GetTested.gov – CDC
This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with financial assistance totaling $60,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
