ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the prenatal diagnosis and management of some of the more common or serious fetal infections. The majority of common maternal infections acquired during pregnancy are of little or no consequence to the fetus; however, there are some important infections that have significant sequelae for the fetus and may result in anything from fetal demise through to structural difference and neuro-development delay. Independent of the infection type, management always requires a multidisciplinary team approach including microbiologists, obstetricians, fetal medicine experts and paediatricians. There are few prospective studies using sensitive laboratory techniques to accurately determine the rate of fetal infection. Fetal rubella infection can result in a number of abnormalities referred to collectively as congenital rubella syndrome. The presence of fetal abnormalities on ultrasound worsens the prognosis. The diagnosis of fetal infection may be suggested by maternal serology and ultrasound findings.
