Congenital and perinatal infections.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Congenital and perinatal infections are leading causes of permanent childhood disability globally.
• TORCH infections (Toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes) are a key group of pathogens crossing the placenta.
• While congenital rubella is preventable by vaccines in some regions, many other congenital infections lack effective prevention or treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of specific pathogens causing congenital infections.
• To highlight pathogens that can damage the developing nervous system.
• To underscore the ongoing challenges in preventing infections like congenital cytomegalovirus and congenital Zika syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on congenital and perinatal infections.
• Synthesis of information on pathogen transmission, host-pathogen interactions, and clinical outcomes.
• Analysis of current diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies.

Main Results:

• Selected pathogens, including those in the TORCH complex and Zika virus, can cause severe fetal and neonatal brain damage.
• Infants are also susceptible to postnatal infections due to immature immune systems.
• Congenital cytomegalovirus and congenital Zika syndrome are persistent challenges, contributing to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and intellectual disability.

Conclusions:

• Congenital and perinatal infections remain critical threats to child neurodevelopment worldwide.
• Effective vaccines and treatments are lacking for many of these pathogens.
• Continued research and public health efforts are essential to mitigate the long-term disabilities caused by these infections.