Frequency of risk infections for congenital infection in pregnant women

BACKGROUND: TORCH and other infections can be vertically transmitted and provoke abortions or result in congenitally infected newborns. Most babies are born with subclinical infection but have a high risk of developing sequalae later. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of seven endemic infections that represent risk for vertical transmission among pregnant women of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional study carried out in pregnant women attended at the INPer between 2010 and 2012. Infections were investigated by serological risk markers among pregnant women living in the Valley of Mexico and answered a questionnaire including risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 1079 pregnant women were studied, and the overall frequency of infection was 5.7%. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii low avidity IgG (2.0%) and parvovirus B19 IgM (2.0%) were the most common. No HBV S-Ag and one rubella case were detected. An association of markers studied with fetal malformations and transfusions (p < 0.015) was found. Toxoplasma infection was associated with the last two variables, as well as with the consumption of raw meat, previous positive TORCH and infection with HPV. Parvovirus B19 IgM was associated with stillbirths, and T. pallidum with HIV. Four cases had double infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the success of vaccination control programs against rubella and active HBV, although infections or perinatal risk are still challenging for this group of women and their children´s health.