Infections During Pregnancy

Several infections have unique consequences or considerations in pregnancy. Some common infections such as urinary tract infections, influenza, sexually transmitted diseases, and vaginitis affect pregnant women differently than the general population, can cause pregnancy complications, and require treatments that are safe in pregnancy. Infections such as hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted vertically, and therefore management focuses on decreasing perinatal transmission. Certain infections can be transmitted in utero and cause congenital infections. Classically, these were grouped together as the TORCH infections, although now several others, including varicella virus, parvovirus, and Zika virus, have also been recognized.