Toxoplasmosis in newborns

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Toxoplasmosis is infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It usually does not cause problems in healthy adults, but it can cause serious illness in newborns and in people with a weakened immune system.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that lives and multiplies in cats.
A fetus may be born prematurely, and a newborn may have problems such as a small head or an enlarged liver.
Blood tests and tests of other fluids can be done to detect the infection in the fetus, newborn, or mother.
The infection may cause death in some children and long-term neurologic problems in others.
Pregnant women should avoid cat litter and should thoroughly cook meat before eating it.
Antiparasitic drugs may be given to fetuses or newborns to treat the infection.

(See also Overview of Infections in Newborns and Toxoplasmosis in adults.)
The Toxoplasma gondii parasite lives and multiplies mainly in cats, and its eggs are shed in cat feces. Cat feces can contaminate food, soil, and water. Pregnant women become infected if they swallow Toxoplasma eggs after they touch contaminated cat litter, soil, or other objects and then touch their mouth or handle and eat food without washing their hands. Pregnant women can also become infected if they consume raw or undercooked meat or other foods that are contaminated. Fetuses become infected if Toxoplasma gondii crosses the placenta (the organ that provides nourishment to the fetus) during pregnancy.
Women who were infected before pregnancy typically do not pass the parasite on to their fetus unless their immune system has been weakened (for example, by HIV infection), reactivating the infection.
Infection in the fetus is more severe if the fetus is infected earlier in pregnancy.