Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu (Feb 2022)
Borreliosis in pregnant women - the current state of knowledge
Abstract
Introduction and objective In recent years, public awareness of Lyme disease has significantly increased, but little is mentioned about infection in pregnant women and the associated risk for the course of pregnancy and foetal development. Borrelia spirochetes can be transmitted vertically, therefore, there is a possibility of infection in the developing foetus. The aim of the study is to present the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of Lyme disease during pregnancy and its consequences for the mother, foetus, and child. Review methods A systematic review of scientific reports on Lyme disease, and Lyme disease in pregnant women was carried out. For this purpose, bibliographic databases such as PubMed and Google Schoolar were used. The following keywords and combinations were applied: Lyme disease, Lyme disease during pregnancy, and Borrelia burgdorferi. Brief description of the state of knowledge The course of borreliosis in pregnant women does not differ from the clinical course observed in other patients. However, the occurring symptoms constitute a significant threat to the maintenance of pregnancy, and also pose the risk of complications during its course. Despite research conducted to-date, it has not been possible to equivocally exclude or confirm the teratogenic effect of Lyme disease. The potential consequences include, among others, premature birth, stillbirth, and the occurrence of congenital defects concerning primarily the nervous, urinary, and cardiovascular systems. Summary Unfortunately, there is still no clear data on the consequences of Lyme disease during pregnancy, and theconclusions drawn from the research are often contradictory. This indicates the need for further studies concerning this issue. However, before achieving this, the emphasis should be placed on raising public awareness, especially among women planning pregnancy.
Keywords
