Millions of newborns are born with various infections acquired during pregnancy. Aetiologies range from viruses, bacteria, parasites to fungi and instigate simultaneous maternal and neonatal infections, potentially complicating with foetal organ damage and growth restriction. While many congenital infections are asymptomatic at birth, a lack of adequate antenatal and perinatal care in most African countries often leads to delayed or lack of diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic newborns.
The burden of congenital infections in Africa is estimated to be high partly influenced by high fertility rates. While a few syndromes like perinatally transmitted HIV, hepatitis B and C have been better studied, there is a dearth of data in this region on most congenital infections (toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, malaria, candida, group B streptococci, listeria etc). A worldwide shortage of therapeutic drugs like Penicillin is contributing to a resurgence in infections in the few areas of the continent with better surveillance and management systems.
The goals of this Research Topic are to:
1. Discuss the epidemiology and clinical presentations of congenital infections in sub-Saharan countries.
2. Narrate current congenital infections’ diagnostic and treatment practice and challenges in Africa in comparison with expert recommendations
3. Offer recommendations on the way forward concerning congenital infections in Sub-Saharan countries.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original research articles, General Commentaries, Mini Reviews, and Reviews. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
• Reviewing the existing literature on congenital infections among newborns in African countries
• Discussing the updated recommendations on evaluation, management and prevention of included infections and develop algorithms to use in resource-constrained settings.
• Highlighting any hindrances on behalf of African healthcare facilities preventing complete evaluations of affected newborns and suggest ways for healthcare administrators and policy makers to improve the status quo.
Millions of newborns are born with various infections acquired during pregnancy. Aetiologies range from viruses, bacteria, parasites to fungi and instigate simultaneous maternal and neonatal infections, potentially complicating with foetal organ damage and growth restriction. While many congenital infections are asymptomatic at birth, a lack of adequate antenatal and perinatal care in most African countries often leads to delayed or lack of diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic newborns.
The burden of congenital infections in Africa is estimated to be high partly influenced by high fertility rates. While a few syndromes like perinatally transmitted HIV, hepatitis B and C have been better studied, there is a dearth of data in this region on most congenital infections (toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, malaria, candida, group B streptococci, listeria etc). A worldwide shortage of therapeutic drugs like Penicillin is contributing to a resurgence in infections in the few areas of the continent with better surveillance and management systems.
The goals of this Research Topic are to:
1. Discuss the epidemiology and clinical presentations of congenital infections in sub-Saharan countries.
2. Narrate current congenital infections’ diagnostic and treatment practice and challenges in Africa in comparison with expert recommendations
3. Offer recommendations on the way forward concerning congenital infections in Sub-Saharan countries.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original research articles, General Commentaries, Mini Reviews, and Reviews. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
• Reviewing the existing literature on congenital infections among newborns in African countries
• Discussing the updated recommendations on evaluation, management and prevention of included infections and develop algorithms to use in resource-constrained settings.
• Highlighting any hindrances on behalf of African healthcare facilities preventing complete evaluations of affected newborns and suggest ways for healthcare administrators and policy makers to improve the status quo.
