Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Toxoplasmosis
Programs that treat this condition
Advanced Fetal Care Center  
What causes toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite toxoplasma gondii and is usually acquired by the parasite getting into the body by the mouth (for instance, by eating undercooked meat). If the parasite infects a pregnant woman, it can enter the placenta and the baby inside.
How can toxoplasmosis be prevented?
A pregnant woman can reduce her risk of toxoplasmosis by avoiding all potential sources of the infection, including:
  • Consumption of undercooked meat
  • Consumption of raw eggs
  • Exposure to cat feces and cat litter
  • nsects (i.e., flies) that have been in contact with cat feces
How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?
A blood test before or during pregnancy can determine if a woman has been exposed to the toxoplasma gondii parasite. If the woman is infected, another type of test can determine whether the baby is infected. In addition, fetal ultrasounds can determine if the baby's organs are damaged.

Currently, physicians in the United States do not routinely screen pregnant women for toxoplasma gondii.

How is toxoplasmosis treated?
If detected early, antiparasitic treatments can eliminate toxoplasmosis before the parasite harms the fetus.
What is the likelihood that my baby will have toxoplasmosis?
Fortunately, the risk of maternal transmission of the parasite to the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy (when the baby is most vulnerable) is relatively low, at 15-20 percent. However, by the third trimester, a pregnant woman with toxoplasmosis has a 60 percent chance of infecting her child.
What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?
Infants afflicted with toxoplasmosis often appear normal at birth, only exhibiting symptoms several years after they are born. The most common complications from pre-natal exposure to the disease include:
  • Chorioretinitis -- inflammation of the choroid layer behind the retina, which can progress to blindnesss
  • Hydrocephalus -- buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain
  • Intracranial calcifications -- the calcifications indicate ares of the brain that have been damaged by the parasite, and are often linked to:
    • Mental retardation
    • Seizures
    • Motor and developmental delays
The symptoms of toxoplasmosis may resemble other skin conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
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