Definition:
Perinatal infection is described as an infection which is caused by less common parasites, bacteria, or viruses passed from the mother to the baby during her pregnancy or at childbirth which the baby can get from the mother's vagina at birth.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis can be done during pregancy and after giving birth by undergoing laboratory tests of the cervix sample taken from the pregnant women during the first trimester. A blood test can also be used in screening the pregnant women for possible hepatitis B infection and HIV infection.
Treatment:
Treatments for perinatal infections will depend on what causes the infection like in the case of infection caused by chlamydial wherein pregant women are given oral erythromycin for 7-14 days. Newborns are treated using erythromycin liquid with 10-14 days duration.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of perinatal infection caused by chlamydial pneumonia includes a repetitive cough and a rapid breathing. In infants, wheezing is often rare and the baby will not have fever.
Causes:
Causes of Perinatal infection can be one of the many like Chlamydia trachomatis which is the most common bacterial disease transmitted sexually. Another cause is cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, rubella, streptococcus, and syphilis.
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