Termination of pregnancy for maternal toxoplasmosis

Abstract

Summary Termination of pregnancy is usually recommended to pregnant women who have infection with Toxoplasma gondii before 26 weeks of pregnancy if the fetus is infected. No prospective studies are available on the outcome if such pregnancies are allowed to continue with anti-parasitic treatment. We prospectively studied 163 mothers with acute toxoplasma infection before 28 weeks of amenorrhoea. All received anti-parasitic treatment with 9 million IU spiramycin orally. 23 also received pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine. All had cordocentesis and regular obstetric ultrasound examinations. The 162 liveborn infants were followed up for 15 to 71 months. 3 fetuses died in utero. 27 of 162 liveborn infants had proven congenital toxoplasmosis: 10 had one or more clinical signs of congenital toxoplasmosis; 5 had isolated or multiple intracranial calcifications; 7 had peripheral chorioretinitis; and 2 had moderate ventricular dilations. All 27 are free from symptoms and have normal neurological development at 15 to 71 months of age. We conclude that in first and second trimester pregnancies with acute fetal toxoplasma infection, the pregnancy need not be interrupted if repeated fetal ultrasound is normal, and antiparasitic treatment is given.