Transmission of sexually transmitted diseases from the pregnant women to her fetus, newborn, or infant can occur before, during, or after birth. Certain STDs such as syphilis are able to cross the placenta and infect the fetus– potentially affecting fetal development. Other sexually transmitted diseases including gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes can be transmitted to the infant during vaginal delivery. Women who are HIV positive can transmit the virus that causes AIDS to the fetus through the placenta during pregnancy or infection can occur during the process of birth. HIV transmission can occur in infants as a result of breastfeeding by an infected mother.
Sexually transmitted diseases can cause devastating consequences to the baby that include:
• stillbirth
• low birth weight
• an eye infection called conjunctivitis
• pneumonia
• an infection in the blood called neonatal sepsis
• neurologic damage such as brain damage or motor function disorder
• blindness, deafness, or other congenital abnormalities
• acute hepatitis
• meningitis
• chronic liver disease
• cirrhosis
Unfortunately, not all of the possible consequences of STD infections may be apparent at birth. Some of the affects of birth-related sexually transmitted disease may not be detected for months or sometimes even years.
Women’s Center-Lebanon is a pregnancy resource center that offers support and solutions for unexpected pregnancies to women in the Lebanon, Franklin, Mason and the surrounding Warren County area . Women’s Center-Lebanon provides women with free pregnancy tests, ultrasound scans, prenatal vitamins, consulting on pregnancy decisions and an educational and material assistance program. To contact Women’s Center-Lebanon call 513-934-1777 or email info@womenscenterohio.com. You can make an appointment online be visiting www.womenscenterohio.com.
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