Abstract
Our present understanding of perinatal infections has mostly accrued from analyzing the perinatal outcome of pregnancy after epidemics and pandemics involving various microbes. The 1964–1965 rubella epidemic, and the thousands of congenital defects that developed as a result of it, provided some insights about pregnancy and intrauterine infections. The otherwise healthy placental barrier, which provides the germ-free and immunologically incompetent fetus with protection and warmth for survival, is compromised by perinatal pathogens. This may happen as a result of primary maternal infection or by the reactivation of a latent infection during pregnancy. The perinatal outcome varies widely, ranging from no fetal involvement to spontaneous abortions, still births, developmental defects, and chronic postnatal infections.
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Basalamah, A.H., Serebour, F.E. (1985). Maternofetal transmission of infection. In: Keith, L.G., Berger, G.S. (eds) Uncommon Infections and Special Topics. Infections in Reproductive Health, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4902-7_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4902-7_16
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