Antenatal Infection Prevention
February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, a time to learn more about antenatal infections and how to prevent them.
Antenatal (also known as “prenatal”) infections are infections that are transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Each year, it is estimated that about 700,000 babies under the age of one month die as a result of an antenatal infection. In developed countries, it has been estimated that antenatal infections may cause up to 24 percent of all stillbirths.
Childbirth Graphics is committed to creating childbirth education materials to promote healthy mothers and babies, including resources highlighting the importance of preventing or managing many
pregnancy hazards, such as antenatal infections and illnesses.
Read on to learn more about several specific prenatal infections, and discover a few of our engaging childbirth educational materials and activities that are essential teaching tools to help ensure healthier mothers and babies.
Listeria
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Hazards During Pregnancy Folding Display is an effective pregnancy education resource that includes information about antenatal illnesses and infections, including food poisoning. Bacteria or other toxins can cause food poisoning, including listeria infection (also called “listeriosis”), which is caused by listeria bacteria.
An antenatal listeria infection can have serious consequences for a developing baby, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and dangerous infections after birth, which is why food safety during pregnancy is extremely important.
Food poisoning from listeria infection can be caused by eating tainted items, such as consuming raw (unpasteurised) milk or products made from unpasteurised milk; soft cheeses (including feta, queso blanco, and Brie); tainted hot dogs and deli meats; cold-smoked fish; and tainted raw vegetables, sprouts and melons.
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Prenatal Care Activity Box uses 13 engaging items to promote discussion about what to limit or avoid during pregnancy and includes a realistic model of a hot dog to represent the importance of taking steps to avoid foodborne illness. The box also comes with detailed presentation notes for facilitators to provide audience members with essential tips to prevent listeria and other foodborne illnesses, such as avoiding hot dogs and deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot; not consuming unpasteurised milk or milk products; avoiding refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads; and washing hands with hot, soapy water before handling foods, in addition to other safety recommendations.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. Cats that consume raw meat or outdoor cats that hunt may spread the infection in their feces. A pregnant woman can get infected with the parasite by touching anything that has been in contact with cat feces, such as a litter box, or while gardening in contaminated soil. Unwashed fruits and vegetables, contaminated water or food (such as undercooked chicken, beef, pork, shellfish, or other meat), and contaminated kitchen surfaces can also spread toxoplasmosis.
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Prenatal Care Activity Box features a model of a cat as a discussion prompt for the dangers of toxoplasmosis, which can cause serious consequences for a developing baby, including pregnancy loss and birth defects. The included presenter’s notes provide information for toxoplasmosis prevention, such as keeping cats indoors, having someone else clean the litter box if possible, and avoiding contaminated soil and undercooked meats.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can be spread by sexual contact or by skin-to-skin contact with an open lesion. A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass the infection to her developing baby. A baby can also contract syphilis during a vaginal birth if the baby comes into contact with a syphilitic sore. Babies who contract syphilis are at risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, death shortly after birth, and lifelong health problems.
It is recommended that all pregnant women be screened for syphilis as early as possible. Testing is also recommended later in the pregancy if there is a change in sexual partners or a possibility of risk.
Pregnant women should talk with their healthcare professionals about syphilis testing. Women who test positive for syphilis during pregnancy should receive immediate antibiotic treatment. Early treatment is best to help protect mothers and their babies.
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What You Should Know About STDs Folding Display is an ideal educational resource to promote the importance of sexually transmitted disease (STD—also known as sexually transmitted infection or STI) screening during pregnancy. It explains that many sexually transmitted diseases and infections can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or birth and the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and management to avoid or limit harmful consequences for the baby.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a form of viral hepatitis that can be spread as a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her developing baby. Injection drug use, sharing items such as toothbrushes or razors, or coming into contact with an infected person’s blood or saliva can also spread the virus. Often, people don’t realise they have been infected, and it can be unknowingly spread to an infant or young child by a family member or carer.
If a young child becomes infected with hepatitis B, the consequences are often devastating. If not vaccinated, it is estimated that up to 90 percent of babies infected with hepatitis B during their first year of life will develop chronic hepatitis B infection, which can lead to liver failure and death.
Hepatitis B testing is recommended during early pregnancy. Babies born to mothers with hepatits B or who are at high risk are vaccinated with a first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine with 24 hours after birth and then at 4 weeks and 12 months in addition to the routine hepatitis B vaccines all babies receive.
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Childhood Immunizations Folding Display discusses more than 14 diseases including hepatitis B that can be prevented through vaccination. Ideal for public health and paediatric clinics, the display can be a helpful way to discuss childhood immunizations and why they are recommended for disease prevention.
The information contained in this newsletter article is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
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