Prenatal Infection Quiz

1.

Which of these can cross intact membranes?

A.

Group B strep
B.

E. coli
C.

Mycoplasmas
D.

None of these - intact membranes prevent any microorganisms from infecting babies in utero
E.

A, b, and c - all of these as well as some other microorganisms can cross intact membranes and infect babies in utero

Correct Answer
E. A, b, and c - all of these as well as some other microorganisms can cross intact membranes and infect babies in utero

2.

In the U.S., what percentage of pregnant women carry group B strep (GBS), a type of bacteria that can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, or become very sick at or after birth?

A.

0.1%
B.

100%
C.

25%
D.

2%

Correct Answer
C. 25%

3.

The two most common ways pregnant women are exposed to cytomegalovirus (CMV) are sexual activity and contact with saliva or urine from an infected child.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

4.

About 1 in 6 of the patients diagnosed with listeriosis are pregnant women. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or infections in newborns. Check 3 of the foods that should be avoided during pregnancy to help protect yourself from listeriosis.

A.

Hot dogs (unless heated until steaming hot)
B.

Cottage cheese
C.

Raw milk
D.

Raw/undercooked fish
E.

Eggs
F.

Tofu products

Correct Answer(s)
A. Hot dogs (unless heated until steaming hot)
C. Raw milk
D. Raw/undercooked fish

Explanation
According to the CDC,
do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pasteurized milk. It is safe to eat hard cheeses, semi-soft cheeses such as mozzarella, pasteurized processed cheese slices and spreads, cream cheese, and cottage cheese.

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5.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be passed to an unborn baby by an infected mother during pregnancy.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

6.

Why are E. coli and group B strep not considered STIs even though bacteria can be passed between sexual partners?

A.

They are diseases not infections
B.

Sex isn't the only way they're spread
C.

They are only found in the gastrointestinal tract
D.

They occur naturally in the body

Correct Answer
D. They occur naturally in the body

Explanation
While bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, GBS and E. coli are not considered STIs because they occur naturally in the body. (Someone with no previous sexual experience can carry GBS and/or E. coli.) Both GBS and E. coli originate in the gastrointestinal tract, but can also be found in the genitourinary tracts of both and women.

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7.

Vertical transmission is the transfer of an infection from the mother to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Check 3 ways infections can vertically pass in utero.

A.

Across the placenta
B.

After prolonged rupture of the membranes
C.

Breastfeeding
D.

During birth from the birth canal

Correct Answer(s)
A. Across the placenta
B. After prolonged rupture of the membranes
D. During birth from the birth canal

Explanation
Breastfeeding can transmit infections vertically, but would not be a correct answer as it is transmitted after birth, not during pregnancy.

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8.

What statement is NOT correct about chickenpox during pregnancy?

A.

If the mother is infected there is a 10-15% chance of fetal infection.
B.

65% of women who get chickenpox develop pneumonia.
C.

Infection with chickenpox in the later stages of pregnancy can cause premature delivery.
D.

If a pregnant women has chickenpox during the first or early second trimester, there is a risk that the baby might have birth defects.

Correct Answer
B. 65% of women who get chickenpox develop pneumonia.

Explanation
10-20% of pregnant women with chickenpox develop pneumonia, with the chance of death as high as 40%.

If a pregnant women has chickenpox during the first or early second trimester, there is a small (0.4-2.0%) chance of birth defects, known as congenital varicella syndrome.

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9.

Being infected with German measles (also known as rubella) during pregnancy, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and serious birth defects.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
The danger is highest for women who get rubella during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

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10.

At about what week are the mother's antibodies primarily passed to her unborn baby?

A.

At conception
B.

Around the 12th week
C.

Around the 28th week
D.

Around the 35th week
E.

Immunities are not passed to the baby; they develop their own

Correct Answer
C. Around the 28th week

Explanation
Unborn babies have a specialized immune system which cooperate with the mother's.

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11.

Which of the following are true about urine culturing for bacteria during pregnancy?

A.

This is the routine prenatal dipstick check that it usually done at each prenatal visit.
B.

In the US and some other countries, it's routine to culture a pregnant woman's urine for bacteria early in pregnancy.
C.

Bacteria in a pregnant woman's urine is not potentially harmful for her unborn baby.
D.

Bacteria in a pregnant woman's urine can indicate that there is a heavy amount of the bacteria where it can harm the unborn baby.
E.

Both A and C
F.

Both B and D

Correct Answer
F. Both B and D

Explanation
The routine dipstick check is done primarily to detect elevated levels of sugar, excess protein, and ketones.
Urine culturing for bacteria is an important opportunity to detect bacteria which can often be present without any symptoms.

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