Unexplained poor outcomes in newborns

Abstract

The recognized causes of poor outcomes in newborn infants are primarily prematurity, congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia, and infection. However, some infants have severe illness and/or poor neurodevelopmental outcomes that are not clearly associated with an adverse event that can be identified. Genen et al report that placental infection was identified in 24 of 33 cases of unexplained systemic illness and poor neonatal outcomes using molecular techniques, and 46% of the infection-positive placentas were caused by Coxsackie's virus. Another 16% of the positives were the result of other viruses. The report includes highly selected placentas from multiple sources and thus does not provide information about the frequency of unrecognized viral infections that are associated with poor neonatal outcomes. However, the information should stimulate more research using the continuously improving molecular approaches to the diagnosis of fetal infection. Page 316