Question

A bacterial or viral infection that can be passed from a mother to her child before or during birth is called a(n)

1) Congenital infection
2) Inherited infection
3) Maternal infection
4) Perinatal infection

Answer 1

A congenital infection can be transmitted from mother to child before or during birth, involving diseases like HIV, rubella, and neonatal herpes.

Step-by-step explanation:

A bacterial or viral infection that can be passed from a mother to her child before or during birth is called a congenital infection. These infections can be transmitted in various ways, including vertical transmission during pregnancy or childbirth and through breast milk. Diseases like HIV, rubella, and neonatal herpes are examples of infections that can be transferred from mother to child.

During childbirth, babies may be exposed to pathogens in the birth canal, such as with neonatal herpes or through contaminated body fluids. Preventive measures, such as intravenous antibiotics administered during labor and antibiotic drops for infants' eyes, can help reduce the incidence of these infections. Infections like TORCH can also cross the placental barrier, causing serious complications for the fetus. For late-onset diseases such as neonatal meningitis, infants may be at higher risk depending on the maternal health and conditions during pregnancy.