Congenital Toxoplasmosis
Congenital Toxoplasmosis Causes
The disease is caused by a parasite known as Toxoplasma Gondi. A fetus may be infected if the mother has the disease, or if there is history of the disease in her previous pregnancies.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis Definition
Congenital toxoplasmosis is defined as a set of symptoms and traits caused by fetus infection with an organism called Toxoplasma gondii. The disease is usually mild for the mother, and might not even be evident. However, the infected fetus can be the cause of many problems. Early pregnancy infection results in serious health troubles compared to getting the disease later in pregnancy.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis
Congenital toxoplasmosis can be diagnosed through physical examination, as well as prenatal tests and postnatal tests. Prenatal exams include fetal blood testing, amniotic fluid testing, abdomen ultrasound, and antibody titer. Postnatal exams include brain CT scan, brain MRI scan, torch screen, neurological exam, and standard eye examination.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis Symptoms and Signs
The disease may damage the fetus' eyes, ears, skin, and nervous system. Symptoms include enlarge spleen and liver, anemia, jaundice, prematurity, skin rash, low birth weight, and eye damage due to retina inflammation.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis Treatment
For infected pregnant mothers, Spiramycin may treat the infection. Sulfadiazine and Pyrimethmine may treat fetal infection when diagnosed at pregnancy. Infected infant's treatment usually includes sulfadiazine, leucovorin, and pyrimethamine for a year. They can also be given steroids at times, if their eyesight is endangered or if protein level is high in spinal fluid.