Final answer:
One bacterial infection that can infect the baby before birth is S. agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) infection, which can lead to neonatal meningitis. Bacterial vaginosis, HSV infection, and Listeria infection are other infections that can affect the baby in utero.
Step-by-step explanation:
One bacterial infection that can infect the baby before birth is S. agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) infection. This infection can occur during childbirth when the bacteria is transferred from the mother's vagina. It can lead to early onset neonatal meningitis, which can be reduced by giving intravenous antibiotics to the mother during labor.
Another infection is caused by bacterial vaginosis, which can develop during pregnancy due to an imbalance in vaginal bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and second-trimester miscarriage.
There are also some infections that can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Examples include HSV (herpes simplex virus) infection and Listeria monocytogenes infection, both of which can cause serious complications in fetal development.