Mechanisms of intrauterine infection of the fetus

Abstract

Intrauterine infectious pathology is one of the main causes of the pathological course of pregnancy and childbirth. Transplacental infection of the fetus is considered one of the most likely causes of congenital malformations, which creates medical and social problems. The clinical picture of intrauterine infection during pregnancy does not always have specific features, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Transmission of an infectious pathogen during pregnancy from mother to fetus largely depends on the functioning of a woman's immune system. The main routes of infection from the mother to the fetus are the ascending and hematogenic pathways. The mixed route of infection of the fetoplacental complex is not sufficiently covered in the literature. In the era of the so-called "immunodeficiency stratum of the population", the pathophysiological mechanisms of fetal infection formation remain unexplored, therefore, research in this direction is relevant. This review reflects the current stages of the pathogenesis of intrauterine infection of the fetus. The current points of view on the etiology, mechanism of ascending, hematogenic and mixed pathways of intrauterine infection are presented. The effects of infection on fetal health are considered.