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How can infections pass from a mother to a child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding?
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infectious disease
Birds are the primary reservoirs of West Nile virus. The virus is transmitted to humans and horses by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds.
Infectious diseases can be transmitted from a mother to her child through several routes, a process often referred to as vertical or perinatal transmission.1
Transmission Routes
- Across the Placenta: Many infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, can cross the placenta to infect the fetus via fetal circulation. Examples include rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis.2
- Childbirth: During labor and delivery, infants can be exposed to infectious agents present in the mother's blood or genital secretions. For instance, HIV can be transmitted during labor and delivery.13
- Breastfeeding: Certain pathogens, such as HIV, can be passed to an infant through breast milk.13
Prevention and Management
The risk of transmission can often be significantly reduced through medical intervention. For example, the use of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, labor, and for the newborn can lower the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission to less than 2 percent. Additionally, elective cesarean sections may be recommended in specific cases to further decrease transmission risks. It is essential for expectant mothers to receive appropriate prenatal care and testing to manage these risks effectively.13