Intrauterine infection: what to expect and what to do

Each pregnant woman in the first trimester must undergo a test, which identifies the possible presence of infectious diseases, which adversely affect the further development of the fetus. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows how dangerous the infectious agents can be to a future child.

Over the past ten years, there has been a clear trend towards an increase in intrauterine infection, which leads to fetal death. According to statistical data, on average, 45% of all women of childbearing age have a herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus during the examination. In 55% of women normal microflora is detected.

What is intrauterine infection?

Intrauterine infection is a disease transmitted from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy or childbirth. The main predisposing factor is a chronic kidney and pelvic disease.

Intrauterine infection can be dangerous depending on the period of pregnancy, the characteristics of immunity, the condition of the fetus and the type of infections. The main danger comes from a primary infection with the infection, because The mother's body is not able to cope with the disease.

The main pathogen causing severe fetal development pathology is the SARS complex, which includes rubella (R), toxoplasmosis (To), herpes (H) and cytomegalovirus (C).

Diseases transmitted sexually (STDs) which include chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, microplasmosis and trichomoniasis, in comparison with the SARS-complex, do not cause serious fetal intrauterine damage.

In addition, HIV, hepatitis (C and B), syphilis are the main danger for the future child.

Causes of fetal infection

The main cause of infection is the infected mother. However, there are other ways of infection:

• During the biopsy of the placenta (placentocenter)
• During a puncture when taking amniotic fluid (amniocentesis)
• When administered to the vessels of the placenta preparations
• Various surgical methods for examining the condition of the fetus or placenta

Ways of infection Fetus

1. Ascending path of infection. Malicious bacteria rise from the vagina to the uterus, where they enter the amniotic membranes and into the water. Infection can also spread through the sperm infected partner.
2. The downward path of infection is the infection from the abdominal cavity into the uterus. This can be caused by an ovarian abscess or appendicitis.
3. Hematogenous pathway. In the event that a large number of bacteria or viruses prevail in the mother's blood, infection occurs through blood and blood vessels.

Diagnostics

Intrauterine infection is diagnosed both at different periods of pregnancy, and after the birth of the child. The main method that allows to identify the presence of pathogens is the examination of a pregnant woman. A study of blood, urine, saliva and cervix, shows the presence of immunoglobulins (G and M) indicating a relapse or primary infection.

A small titre of immunoglobulin G indicates a previous immunization with a pregnant woman (ie, a cured or transmitted infection). Accumulation of titers G or the manifestation of immunoglobulin M indicates a repeated infection of the pregnant woman.

IgG-gM- - indicates the absence of disease

IgG + gM- - there is immunity to a previous illness

IgG-gM + - primary infection

IgG + gM + - relapse, and with primary infection, the development of immunity

After childbirth, the newborn child also takes blood, meconium, urine and, if necessary, cerebrospinal fluid tests. Detection of the causative agent of the disease allows to determine sensitivity to antibiotics, which favorably affects the further treatment of the child.

Influence on the fetus

It's no secret that intrauterine infection can provoke a miscarriage or a dead pregnancy on a short term. This may be due to severe developmental defects or increased uterus tone.

In addition, intrauterine infection of the fetus can cause severe damage to tissues and organs: inflammation of the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, skin, brain, etc. It should be noted that in a newborn child the diseases are more pronounced than in an adult.

It is worth remembering that the mild, asymptomatic course of the disease in the mother, can be detrimental to the development of the fetus.

In the early stages (up to 12 weeks) intrauterine infection, the consequences of which are unpredictable, can provoke the death of the fetus. In later terms, severe pathologies can develop, for example, fluid accumulation in the brain. If the infection occurred before birth, the infection manifests itself in the first week after delivery.

Intrauterine infection causes placental insufficiency: the delivery of oxygen and nutrients is disrupted, the production of hormones responsible for maintaining pregnancy decreases and the antimicrobial properties of the placenta decrease.

What to do?

Early detection of infection can reduce the risk of its spread, save pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child. To prevent intrauterine infection, antibiotic therapy is used, which is carried out in the second trimester. Antibacterial drugs, prescribed by a doctor, can reduce the risk of infection and prevent its harmful effect on the unborn child. Also prescribe drugs that improve placental blood circulation, nutrition of the fetus and reduce uterine tone.