Preventing Birth Defects Caused By Congenital Infection

1
Preventing Birth Defects Caused By Congenital
Infection

• Development of International Collaboration in
  Infectious Disease Research
• State Research Center of Virology and
  Biotechnology VECTOR
• 8-10 September 2004

2
The Global Toll of Birth Defects

• Each year, an estimated 7.7 million children
  worldwide are born with serious genetic birth
  defects that cause death or lifelong disability
  for the individual and hardship for entire
  families
• Approximately 3.7 million of these infants (gt48)
  will die before the age of five years
• The majority of the rest will suffer life-long
  disability

3
Birth Defects Risk Factors Congenital Infections
Rubella (Congenital rubella syndrome) 110,000
cases worldwide Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
1/100 live births Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
1/62,500 live births Herpes Simplex Virus
(HSV) 1/435 live births Human Parvovirus
(HPV) B19 1/3333 live births
4
Congenital Rubella Syndrome

• Complications Eye defects, hearing loss, heart
  defects, mental retardation and movement
  disorders
• Prevalence 110,000 births per year
• Prevention Immunization, with the goal of
  rubella immunity at least 28 days before
  conception

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Cytomegalovirus
Complications Neurological, growth and
developmental problems sight and hearing
problems and dental abnormalities Incidence of
Infection in Newborns 1/100 live births
Prevention Hand washing, good hygiene.
Avoidance of exposure to CMV toddlers.
Immunization?
6
Varicella-Zoster Virus
Complications Congenital varicella syndrome,
leading to defects of muscle and bone, malformed
and paralyzed limbs, a smaller-than-normal head,
blindness, seizures and mental retardation Incide
nce of Infection in Newborns 1/62,500 live
births Prevention Immunization
7
Herpes Simplex Virus
Complications Isolated CNS disease disseminated
disease with CNS involvement or isolated skin,
eye, or mouth infection Incidence of Infection
in Newborns 1/435 live births Prevention
Safe sexual practices to avoid exposure to herpes
simplex virus. Immunization?
8
Human Parvovirus B19
Complications Hemolytic anemia, heart failure
and fetal death suspected but not proven
association with birth defects Incidence of
Infection in Newborns 1/3333 live births
Prevention Avoid exposure to children with
fifth disease (must be before appearance of
disease or at least rash). Immunization?