Abstract
Chagas is one the most common endemic diseases in Latin America. Between 10-15% of Latin American population is infested.
The purpose of the workup of pregnant patients with Chagas diseases is twofold. First, determine the degree of patient's compromise and second, to establish if there are any effects on the fetus.
One hundred and twenty three patients with pregnancies between 26 and 37 weeks were studied at Hospital de 1a Cruz Roja Paraguaya. They all had blood test (ELISA, IFI, direct parasitemia, Placental Lactogen and Estriol); Chest X rays. Obstetric ultrasound, amniotic fluid studies (maturity, search for the presence of parasites, ELISA, linfocitosis); Fetal monitoring and anatomopathologic study of placenta.
The newborns of the 7 patients with positive ELISA Test for Chagas were studied. They had ELISA IFI, direct parasites search, immunoblotting, EKG, Chest X rays.
Absence of congenital diseases was shown in all them. During follow up, ranging from 3-6 months, all these newborn remained free of the disease.
Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of transmission. This should be priority for health institution in Latin America.
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Di Martino, C., Diaz De Bedoya, L., Rosner, J. et al. CONGENITAL CHAGAS. Pediatr Res 26, 163 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198908000-00028
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198908000-00028