Maternal diseases that generally affect the fetus.

### 1- Maternal diabetes One of the mother's diseases that requires high attention. It is diabetes. To diabetic people who are planning to get pregnant and women who have gestational diabetes. (diabetes that occurs during pregnancy) is recommended. to carefully control the conditions during pregnancy. High blood sugar, especially in the first trimester, can cause birth defects and miscarriage. Gestational diabetes that starts in late pregnancy. It is usually less risky than pre-gestational diabetes or first-trimester diabetes. It can lead to the birth of an obese baby. Babies with macrosomia may have health problems. Among these problems, we can mention the damage to their shoulders during childbirth. Due to the extra insulin produced by the baby's pancreas, these babies may have very low blood sugar levels at birth. They are also at greater risk of developing respiratory problems. These types of babies will become adults in the future. who are at risk of obesity and also at risk of type 2 diabetes (or adult-onset diabetes). Mother's diabetes and effect on fetal heart development

### 2- Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is a possible maternal disease caused by a parasite. It is present in cat feces or uncooked meats. Toxoplasmosis rarely causes more severe symptoms than the flu in adults. But the pregnant mother who was infected during pregnancy or just before pregnancy. It can transfer this infection to the fetus and endanger the health of the unborn child. These babies often have eye infections, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and pneumonia. Even some of these babies die within a few days after birth and those who survive are also possible. have mental disabilities, severe visual impairment, cerebral palsy, seizures and other serious problems. ### 3- Rubella (rubella) Measles, also known as German measles, is caused by a vaccine. In 1969, it almost disappeared in the world. However, there is still a risk of rubella during pregnancy as a maternal disease. While this disease only causes discomfort and disease in the mother for a week or more. Its impact on the newborn can be much more serious. Congenital defects caused by congenital rubella infection include eye defects such as cataracts, glaucoma and blindness, deafness, congenital heart defects and mental retardation. Collectively, these conditions are called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). ### 4- Cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a very common virus. which usually remains dormant in the body after being placed in the body without causing any problems. This CMV virus can cause serious problems for the health of people who have a low immune system or in the fetus. Infants infected with CMV before birth are at risk of several defects such as microcephaly (small head size), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), anemia (low blood count), pneumonia, seizures, vision loss, hearing loss, and serious cases. Even children who are born without any of these defects are possible. Later, they face partial hearing loss, poor vision, some developmental problems, and learning difficulties. ### 5- streptococci type B Streptococcus type B (GBS) is a bacterial disease. which can cause infections that threaten the baby's life. Babies are at risk of mother's diseases, it is possible. Have sepsis (blood infection), pneumonia or meningitis. Strep type B can occur in pregnant women. Cause bladder infection, uterine infections (amnionitis, endometritis) and stillbirth (CDC). Type B streptococcus can be treated with antibiotics. ### 6- Thyroid One of the maternal diseases that is very common in pregnant women. Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency), are related to a decrease in IQ in babies and an increase in the rate of miscarriage and birth defects if not treated. Synthetic hormone drugs are used to treat hypothyroidism. The chemical structure of these drugs is almost identical to the natural hormone. In general, their consumption is considered safe. If you are planning to get pregnant, it is better to examine and screen your thyroid, especially in relation to its hypofunction.

https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-021-02698-5 https://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/3/1/e3?download=true **Dr. Saeed Bitarafan, Pediatric Cardiologist and Fetal Echocardiologist**