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Published on: February 28, 2014
Infertility, in vitro fertilization and congenital tuberculosis
J J Flibotte1, G E Lee, G L Buser
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Summary
Congenital tuberculosis (CTB) is rare but may increase with assisted reproduction. Five infants conceived via in vitro fertilization developed CTB from undiagnosed maternal genitourinary TB.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Congenital tuberculosis (CTB) is a rare condition, typically resulting from maternal genitourinary (GU) tuberculosis (TB).
- Maternal GU TB infection often leads to infertility, historically limiting CTB occurrence.
- Advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART) may alter this epidemiological pattern.
Observation:
- A case series involving five infants (including two sets of twins) born via in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- All infants developed CTB.
- Mothers had immigrated from India and had no diagnosed GU TB prior to delivery.
Findings:
- The study identified a potential link between IVF and an increased risk of CTB.
- Maternal GU TB may go undiagnosed, posing a risk to the fetus during ART procedures.
- This highlights a challenge in screening and diagnosis for pregnant individuals undergoing ART.
Implications:
- ART may necessitate revised screening protocols for GU TB in at-risk populations.
- Increased vigilance for CTB is crucial in infants born via ART, especially to mothers from endemic regions.
- Further research is needed to understand and mitigate the risk of CTB in the context of assisted reproduction.
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