What is Neonatal Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is most commonly spread through cat feces and undercooked meat.

Toxoplasmosis in a newborn baby (neonate) is usually caused by the mother passing it to the baby before birth. This may cause the baby to be born early (prematurely) or develop serious health problems. Being born with neonatal toxoplasmosis increases the baby’s risk of having long-term health problems.

In rare cases, a newborn can get infected right after birth. These babies are less likely to have long-term health problems than babies who were infected before birth.

What are the causes?

Common causes of toxoplasmosis infection include:

• Having contact with infected cat feces. This can happen if you touch cat litter or soil that contains the feces (is contaminated) and then touch your mouth.
  • House cats that eat only dry or canned food generally do not have the parasite (are not infectious).
  • Outdoor cats that hunt for food or eat raw or undercooked meat are more likely to be infectious.
• Eating any of the following:
  • Undercooked meat from an infected animal.
  • Raw or undercooked oysters, clams, or mussels.
  • Fruits or vegetables from a garden with contaminated soil.
• Handling contaminated vegetables or utensils, or handling undercooked meat from an infected animal and then passing the parasite from your hands to your mouth.
• Drinking unpasteurized milk or contaminated water.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Your baby may develop symptoms right after birth. If the infection is mild, your baby may not have any symptoms until his or her teenage years. Symptoms may include:

• Enlarged liver and spleen.
• Vomiting.
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes), such as in the neck.
• The head being too large or too small.
• Fluid buildup on the brain.
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• Skin rashes at birth.
• Problems feeding.
• Low birth weight.
• Problems with the eyes, vision, or hearing.
• Learning problems and intellectual disability.
• Muscle problems, such as weakness or involuntary tightening (spasms).
• Uncontrollable twitching or shaking (seizures).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed before or after your baby is born. If you become infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, your health care provider will do one or both of the following tests before your baby is born to check for signs that the infection has passed to your baby:

• Amniocentesis. This is a procedure that involves passing a needle into the uterus to collect a sample of fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb (amniotic fluid).
• Fetal ultrasound. This involves using harmless sound waves to create images of the baby inside the womb.

After birth, your baby may have tests done, such as:

• Blood tests.
• MRI.
• CT scan.
• Removal of a small amount of tissue to be examined under a microscope (biopsy).
• Eye exams.

If your baby has no symptoms at birth, he or she will need regular testing throughout childhood and into adolescence to monitor for symptoms.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on how severe your and your baby’s symptoms are, and when you became infected. The following medicines may be prescribed for you and your baby:

• Medicine to stop parasites from growing and reproducing.
• Antibiotic medicine to help prevent bacterial infection.

You may work with a specialist who can help treat your baby’s symptoms. If toxoplasmosis affects your baby’s eyes or vision, your baby may be treated by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).

Follow these instructions at home:

• Give your baby over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If your baby was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it to your baby as told by your health care provider. Do not stop giving your baby the antibiotic even if he or she seems to feel better.
• Watch your baby for new symptoms or any changes in symptoms, especially as he or she grows up.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important, especially if your child will need regular testing to monitor for symptoms.

Contact a health care provider if your baby:

• Has a fever.
• Develops new symptoms.

Get help right away if your baby:

• Has seizures or spasms.
• Has difficulty breathing.
• Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.

Summary

• Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that is commonly spread through cat feces and undercooked meat.
• Toxoplasmosis in a newborn baby (neonate) may cause the baby to be born early (prematurely) or develop serious health problems.
• You and your baby may be prescribed medicines to stop parasites from growing and reproducing.
• You should watch your baby for new symptoms or any changes in symptoms, especially as he or she grows up.