Infections in pregnancy: the importance of pre-conception tests

The conference focused particularly on the lack of information among women who decide to have a child and on the consequent lack of adherence to preconception screening (free) which would make it possible to understand if the future mother is affected by particular pathologies that could compromise pregnancy. or check if the woman has had some important infections in her past, such as rubella, or if she is already immune to it. In fact, we know well how risky it can be to contract rubella during pregnancy, or toxoplasmosis, just to give some examples.

Riccardo Smeraglia , director of the Microbiology and Virology Unit of the Dei Colli – Monaldi-Cotugno-Cto Hospital of Naples explained that ” In Campania, only 6.6% of pregnant women adhere to preconception screening for diseases infectious. Among those who do not do it, 44% are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection, 8% to Cytomegalovirus infection and 7% to Rubella infection: the infections in progress found on hospitalization are between 0.1-0.2%. Given that only 6.6% of women undergo counseling before pregnancy, it is desirable to raise awareness to undergo preconception screening

The major national experts on maternal-fetal and neonatal infections were present at the conference and the guidelines for successful diagnostic-care pathways were presented . In fact, the conference focused particularly on sexually transmitted and maternal-fetal diseases, the diagnosis of which is extremely important and must be timely in order to intervene in the correct way and sometimes save the lives of women and children.

Clearly, for a correct and fast diagnosis, it is necessary for each hospital to have a competent team made up of clinical microbiologists who actively collaborate with the doctors to be able to interpret the results of the tests in the best possible way. Teamwork in these situations is essential.

So in a nutshell what should we women do when we decide to have a baby?

First of all, a nice gynecological visit and pre-conception exams, which are free, and which allow us to check our state of health in broad terms but above all whether or not we are immune to certain infections such as toxoplasmosis . If we are not, it is good to start paying attention to what we eat by adopting the hygiene rules necessary to avoid infection. If you have not had rubella it is important to discuss the possibility of a vaccination with your doctor.

Obviously stop smoking, alcohol, (and drugs of course) and start living healthily, supplementing your diet with folic acid . Your body will benefit from it, your fertility and your child will one day thank you for having thought of the good of him even before conceiving him! Your baby’s health begins even before conception of him. Never forget it!