Protecting Infants from Prenatal Infections

(February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month)

Protecting infants from infections is just as important before birth as it is after. February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month. Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is joining with healthcare providers worldwide to raise awareness about serious, life-threatening infections that can pass from mother to baby.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAC), perinatal infections include infections that occur during pregnancy, labor, and other types of infections that often appear within the first month after birth, such as sepsis, that pose a threat to the health of the infant.

It is estimated that over 60% of pregnant women in the United States experience at least one infection during pregnancy. Of these, the most common infections spread to their unborn infant include Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HBC), Group B Streptococcus virus, and HIV. However, other infections can be transmitted from mother to baby including, but not limited to, measles, rubella, chicken pox, and COVID.

Some infections can lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, serious health problems or illnesses affecting newborns in their first 28 days of life, such as sepsis, and other life-long disabilities such as hearing loss and development delays. Early detection and management of infections in pregnant women are essential to improving health outcomes in mother and baby.

For women who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, the AAC recommends the following precautions one can be taken to avoid getting sick and improve the chances of having a typically developing baby. Contact your provider if you have flu-like symptoms, fever, unusual discharge, or any concerns, as early detection and treatment are crucial. 

• Talk to your healthcare provider about screening for possible infections and participate in routine prenatal care.
• Make sure your up-to-date on all vaccines including flu, pertussis (Whooping Cough), and RSV to pass immunity to your unborn child.
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals.
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy and undercooked meats to prevent infections like Listeria.

For more information on protecting your unborn baby against infections, contact RHI at 618-833-4471 or visit www.ruralhealthinc.org  to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or visit the American Academy of Pediatrics online at www.aap.org.

Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.

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