Tuberculosis is the leading infectious disease worldwide in women of childbearing age, according to an article in the Global Library of Women's Medicine by Edward Newton, M.D. He says one-third of the world's population shows evidence of infection at some time with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Many pregnant women are infected during pregnancy. TB has known negative effects on the fetus and can also cause maternal complications.
Fetal Complications
Spontaneous abortion and fetal demise in utero are more likely to occur in pregnant women with TB. Obstetric mortality was increased sixfold in one study reported in an article written in 2001 by P. Ormerod in Thorax. Another study in the same article quoted an 18.7 percent infant mortality when mothers were diagnosed or treated later in pregnancy. Mothers who received early treatment have fewer complications, according to Ormerod. Ormerod also reported that an Indian study showed a doubled rate of prematurity, low birth weight and small for gestational age in infants born to mothers with TB.
Congenital Tuberculosis
Congenital TB is very rare, according to Ormerod. Congenital TB becomes apparent two to three weeks after birth. The baby may run a fever, respiratory distress and an enlarged liver. The infant may be lethargic or irritable, according to an article in the Indian Journal of Tuberculosis written by V. Arora and R. Gupta. The chest X-ray will show abnormalities.
Maternal Complications
In mothers who are diagnosed late in pregnancy, obstetric mortality is increased fourfold, according to Ormerod, and the rate of toxemia of pregnancy is increased. Maternal treatment of active disease should occur as soon as the disease is diagnosed. TB is completely curable if treated properly from four to nine months, according to BabyCenter.com.
