Congenital toxoplasmosis

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Congenital toxoplasmosis

Up to half of the fetuses who become infected with toxoplasmosis during the pregnancy ae born early (prematurely). Congenital toxoplasmosis can damage the baby's eyes, nervous system, skin, and ears.

Often, there are signs of infection in the baby at birth. However, newborns with milder infections may not have symptoms or problems for months or even years. If they are not treated, almost all develop problems (especially in the eyes) when they become adolescents.

Symptoms may include:

• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Eye damage from inflammation of the retina or other parts of the eye
• Feeding problems
• Hearing loss
• Jaundice
• Low birth weight (intrauterine growth restriction)
• Skin rash (petechiae or ecchymosis) at birth

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Brain and nervous system damage may be severe or very mild, and may include:

• Seizures
• Abnormal brain and nervous system (neurologic) function

The physical examination may show signs of:

• Anemia
• Cerebral calcifications
• Chorioretinitis
• Larger head size (hydrocephalus)
• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Macrocephaly or microcephaly

Signs and symptoms that occur late in the disease include:

• Hearing loss
• Mental retardation
• Seizures
• Neurological problems
• Visual impairment

Prenatal tests include:

• Amniotic fluid testing and fetal blood testing
• Antibody titer
• Ultrasound of the abdomen

Postnatal diagnosis:

• Antibody studies on cord blood and cerebrospinal fluid
• CT scan of the brain
• MRI scan of the brain
• Neurological exams
• Standard eye exam
• TORCH screen

Review Date: 05/27/2009
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).