The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes inflammation and destruction of the cells of the liver. Approximately 20% of those who become infected with HBV continue to carry the virus for their lifetime. These people are called “chronic carriers”. Chronic carriers…
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Syphilis
Fortunately, syphilis is rather uncommon in the U.S. However, it is a potentially devastating disease for a fetus or newborn if not diagnosed and treated properly. Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is spread from one…
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-cell protozoan (a class of organisms separate from bacteria and viruses). It is commonly found in soil. It is also found in the feces of infected animals, and has a well-deserved reputation for being in the…
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is a virus. In children and adults, it may cause symptoms similar to a cold or mild flu. If a developing fetus becomes infected, the problems can be severe (deafness, eye problems and blindness, mental retardation and death).
Group B beta-Strep
Group B Strep (Strepococcus agalactiae, group B) is a common bacteria. In older children and adults, colonization of the bacteria rarely results in infection. That means one may carry the bacteria, but never show signs of disease. In fact, as…
Toxemia – Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension in Pregnancy
For generations, the “toxemias of pregnancy” have perplexed physicans. The problem still does. We now know a lot more about the disease process than we did a 100 years ago…..but still have little clue of what causes it or how…
Gestational Diabetes
About 4% of pregnant women will develop a diabetes-like condition during their pregnancy. Like diabetes mellitis, women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitis (GDM) will have high blood sugars. If not treated, many of these women will give birth to very large…
Diabetes Mellitis
Prior to the discovery of insulin (in 1922), the mortality rate of pregnant women with diabetes mellitis was 45%. It quicky dropped to 2% after the introduction of insulin. It became very clear that the pregnant woman with diabetes needed…
Fetal Fibronectin
You may start hearing more about a substance (and a test) called fetal fibronectin. Fibronectin is a protein that resides in the cells where the fetal membranes come in contact with the uterus. The fetal membranes are also known as…
Preterm Labor and Birth
9% of babies are born between the “age of viability” (about 26 weeks) and 37 weeks. These babies are born prematurely; before they are completely mature enough to function fully outside the mother.