@article{95802,
  keywords = {Microbiology (medical), Infectious Diseases, Congenital transmission},
  author = {Edwards MS and Montgomery SP},
  title = {Congenital Chagas disease},
  abstract = {Purpose of review<br>
Lack of recognition of congenital Chagas disease in infants of mothers from endemic regions who are living in countries nonendemic for Trypanosoma cruzi infection suggests a high rate of underdiagnosis. Pregnancy is the optimal access point for identifying Chagas disease in at-risk mothers and their infants. In this review, we update progress toward implementation of pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease in nonendemic settings.<br>

<br>Recent findings <br>
International organizations have updated recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital Chagas disease. Reports of successful implementation of pregnancy-based screening at some centers provide a model for optimizing diagnosis of congenital Chagas disease. Screening family members of index patients may identify additional T. cruzi-infected persons. Promising tests to augment current diagnostic modalities for maternal and congenital Chagas disease are in development. Universal or risk-based screening would be cost-effective. More healthcare providers are now aware that treatment of congenital Chagas disease is curative and are promoting efforts to make pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease a standard of care.<br>

<br>Summary <br>
Ongoing efforts to implement routine pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease in nonendemic regions will mutually benefit infants, their mothers and family members and can prevent potentially fatal Chagas cardiomyopathy.},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases},
  volume = {Publish Ahead of Print},
  publisher = {Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)},
  issn = {0951-7375},
  doi = {10.1097/qco.0000000000000769},
  language = {eng},
}