Infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite found in undercooked meat, cat feces, soil, and untreated water can lead to severe brain and eye disorders in a fetus when a pregnant woman becomes newly infected.
Do parasites affect pregnancy?
Parasitic infections are common among pregnant women due to reduced body immunity and therefore can affect physiological systems of the body [1]. Malaria and ameba infections during pregnancy have been associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications [2, 3].
Can you treat parasites while pregnant?
The most common medications for treatment during pregnancy, Praziquantel, and Niclosamide, are both in risk category B. Most often, doctors will prescribe these medications if the risk of withholding treatment outweighs the risk of the potential drug effects to the fetus during pregnancy.
Can parasites cause birth defects?
Diseases from parasites like malaria or toxoplasmosis, genetic mutations and even excessive alcohol consumption during early pregnancy can all cause microcephaly.
Can parasites pass through placenta?
Microparasites that can infect and cross the placenta include viruses (e.g. Cytomegalovirus, HIV), protozoa (e.g. Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Plasmodium), and bacteria (e.g. Treponema, Brucella, Listeria) [14–17].
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