What are the risks of Toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy?
A one-celled organism called Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis. Most cases go undiagnosed, as the symptoms resemble the flu or infectious mononucleosis. A pregnant woman who contracts toxoplasmosis for the first time has about a 40% chance of passing the infection to her fetus. The earlier the infection occurs in pregnancy the more significant are the consequences. About one in ten infected babies has a severe infection that is evident at birth. Up to 90% of infected babies appear normal at birth. Between 55 to 85% will develop problems months to years later. There are medications that can be used to treat infected babies.Women who develop immunity to the infection before pregnancy are not in danger of transmitting it to their babies.
