51 - Maternal and Fetal Infections

Abstract

Infectious disease is the single most common problem encountered by the obstetrician. Some conditions, such as urinary tract infections, endometritis, wound infection, mastitis, and influenza, pose a risk primarily to the mother. Other disorders, such as group B streptococcal infection, herpes simplex infection, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, and toxoplasmosis, are of major concern because of the risk of fetal or neonatal complications. Still others, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, syphilis, Ebola virus infection, and Zika virus infection, can cause serious morbidity for both mother and baby.