How can chlamydia infections affect newborn babies?

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If a pregnant woman has a chlamydia infection of the cervix, she can transmit the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. This exposure can lead to serious health complications for the newborn, specifically:

Neonatal conjunctivitis: An eye disease caused by the infection.1
Pneumonia: A respiratory infection that can develop in infants born to infected mothers.1

It is essential to treat chlamydial infections promptly to prevent these risks and other complications, such as premature birth.1