Maternal infections
While the placenta effectively filters out many infectious
Organisms, it cannot prevent all disease-causing agents from
Reaching the unborn child. Some of these agents are known to
Cause fetal abnormalities. The type of abnormality depends on
The mother’s illness and stage of pregnancy when infection
Occurs. For example, a pregnant woman who develops rubella
(German measles) during the first four to eight weeks following
Conception is at high risk for giving birth to an infant who has
Heart problems, or is deaf, blind, or both ( an example of the
Extreme vulnerability of the fetus during its earliest weeks)
Note: Rubella can be controlled if women who do not have
Natural immunity receive vaccinations after or not less than
Three to four months prior to pregnancy.
Fortunately, only a small percentage of babies exposed to
Infectious agents will experience abnormalities. It is still
Unknown why only some babies are affected. What is
Reasonably certain is that pregnant women who are well
Nourished, have good prenatal care, and are generally healthy
And free of addictive substances and other excesses have
A high probability of giving birth to a strong and healthy baby.