Parasitic disease in pregnancy and congenital parasitosis - Part II: Helminthic infections

The main sequela of helminthic infections is anemia. causing increased peri natal mortality and morbidity worldwide. During pregnancy symptomatic treat ment is usually sufficient to control the disease. The specific and very ef fective treatment with albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin and praziquante l has embryo-, fetotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential. Therefore, i t should be delayed until after delivery. In some cases immediate specific therapy might be mandatory. Congenital helminthic infection in humans is a rarely described event.