Symptoms:

Up to half of the developing babies who become infected with toxoplasmosis during the pregnancy ae born early (prematurely). Congenital toxoplasmosis can damage the baby's eyes, nervous system, skin, and ears.

Often, there are signs of infection in the baby at birth. However, newborns with milder infections may not have symptoms or problems for months or even years. If they are not treated, almost all develop problems (especially in the eyes) when they become adolescents.

Symptoms may include:

• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Eye damage from inflammation of the retina or other parts of the eye
• Feeding problems
• Hearing loss
• Jaundice (yellow skin)
• Low birth weight (intrauterine growth restriction)
• Skin rash (tiny red spots or bruising) at birth
• Vision problems

Brain and nervous system damage ranges from very mild to severe, and may include:

• Seizures
• Mental retardation

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will examine the baby. The baby may have:

• Swollen spleen and liver
• Yellow skin (jaundice)
• Inflammation of the eyes
• Fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Large head size (macrocephaly) or smaller-than-normal head size (microcephaly)

Tests that may be done during pregnancy include:

• Amniotic fluid testing and fetal blood testing
• Antibody titer
• Ultrasound of the abdomen

After birth, the following tests may be done on the baby:

• Antibody studies on cord blood and cerebrospinal fluid
• CT scan of the brain
• MRI scan of the brain
• Neurological exams
• Standard eye exam
• Toxoplasmosis test