Pathogens (Oct 2022)

Maternal–Fetal Infections (Cytomegalovirus, <i>Toxoplasma</i>, Syphilis): Short-Term and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children Infected and Uninfected at Birth

  • Cinzia Auriti,
  • Silvia Bucci,
  • Domenico Umberto De Rose,
  • Luana Coltella,
  • Alessandra Santisi,
  • Ludovica Martini,
  • Chiara Maddaloni,
  • Iliana Bersani,
  • Simona Lozzi,
  • Francesca Campi,
  • Concettina Pacifico,
  • Martina Balestri,
  • Daniela Longo,
  • Teresa Grimaldi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111278
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 11
p. 1278

Abstract

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(1) Background: Infections in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, infections in newborns, and developmental disabilities in babies. Infected infants, symptomatic at birth, can have long-term sequelae, and asymptomatic babies are also at increased risk of developing long-term sensorineural outcomes. Targeted therapy of the pregnant mother can reduce fetal and neonatal harm. (2) Aim of the study: To explore the association between symptoms and time of onset of long-term sequelae in infected children born from mothers who contracted an infection during pregnancy, by a long-term multidisciplinary follow-up. (3) Methods: For up to 2–4 years, we evaluated cognitive, motor, audiological, visual, and language outcomes in infants with symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital infections and in uninfected infants. (4) Results: 186 infants born from women who acquired Cytomegalovirus infection (n = 103), Toxoplasma infection (n = 50), and Syphilis (n = 33) during pregnancy were observed. Among them, 119 infants acquired the infection in utero. Infected infants, symptomatic at birth, obtained lower scores on the Cognitive and Motor Scale on Bayley-III compared to asymptomatic and uninfected infants (p = 0.026; p = 0.049). Many severe or moderate sequelae rose up within the first year of life. At 24 months, we observed sequelae in 24.6% (14/57) of infected children classified as asymptomatic at birth, compared to 68.6% (24/35) of symptomatic ones (χ2 = 15.56; p < 0.001); (5) Conclusions: Infected babies symptomatic at birth have a worse prognosis than asymptomatic ones. Long-term sequelae may occur in infected children asymptomatic at birth after the first year of life. Multidisciplinary follow-up until 4–6 years of age should be performed in all infected children, regardless of the presence of symptoms at birth.

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