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Preventing Birth Defects
Caused By Congenital Infection
Development of International Collaboration in
Infectious Disease Research
State Research Center of Virology and
Biotechnology VECTOR
8-10 September 2004
The Global Toll of Birth Defects
• Each year, an estimated 7.7 million children worldwide
are born with serious genetic birth defects that cause
death or lifelong disability for the individual and
hardship for entire families
• Approximately 3.7 million of these infants (>48%) will
die before the age of five years
• The majority of the rest will suffer life-long disability
Birth Defects Risk Factors
Congenital Infections
Rubella (Congenital rubella syndrome) 110,000 cases worldwide
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
1/100 live births
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
1/62,500 live births
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
1/435 live births
Human Parvovirus (HPV) B19
1/3333 live births
Congenital Rubella Syndrome
Complications: Eye defects, hearing loss, heart defects,
mental retardation and movement disorders
Prevalence: 110,000 births per year
Prevention: Immunization, with the goal of rubella
immunity at least 28 days before conception
Cytomegalovirus
Complications: Neurological, growth and
developmental problems; sight and hearing problems;
and dental abnormalities
Incidence of Infection in Newborns: 1/100 live births
Prevention: Hand washing, good hygiene. Avoidance
of exposure to CMV+ toddlers. Immunization?
Varicella-Zoster Virus
Complications: Congenital varicella syndrome, leading
to defects of muscle and bone, malformed and paralyzed
limbs, a smaller-than-normal head, blindness, seizures
and mental retardation
Incidence of Infection in Newborns: 1/62,500 live births
Prevention: Immunization
Herpes Simplex Virus
Complications: Isolated CNS disease; disseminated
disease with CNS involvement; or isolated skin, eye,
or mouth infection
Incidence of Infection in Newborns: 1/435 live births
Prevention: Safe sexual practices to avoid exposure to
herpes simplex virus. Immunization?
Human Parvovirus B19
Complications: Hemolytic anemia, heart failure and fetal
death; suspected but not proven association with birth defects
Incidence of Infection in Newborns: 1/3333 live births
Prevention: Avoid exposure to children with fifth disease
(must be before appearance of disease or at least rash).
Immunization?