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Listeriosis revisited: the role of the obstetrician
Author(s) -
BUCHDAHL R.,
HIRD M.,
GAMSU H.,
TAPP A.,
GIBB D.,
TZANNATOS C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1990.tb01747.x
Subject(s) - medicine , meconium , pregnancy , obstetrics and gynaecology , obstetrics , fetus , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , genetics , biology
Summary. The clinical course and outcome is described of three pregnancies complicated by listeriosis encountered during a 6‐month period. All three ended in preterm labour characterized by the passage of meconium by the fetus. Two babies died in the early neonatal period and the third survived with neurological handicap. Although the diagnosis of listeriosis was made only after delivery, all the mothers had a pyrexial illness before delivery. A high index of suspicion is needed for the early detection and prompt treatment of this life‐threatening perinatal infection. Effective advice concerning prevention of listeriosis by avoidance of high‐risk foods must be given to women during pregnancy.