Campylobacter jejuni infection occurring during pregnancy

Abstract

Campylobacter infections occurring during pregnancy have been associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity and neonatal sepsis, all tenCampylobacter jejuni infections diagnosed in the approximately 24,000 pregnant women attending a 520-bed hospital between January 1984 and December 1988 were reviewed. Nine women delivered healthy babies at term. In one case,Campylobacter infection at 28 weeks of gestation was associated with premature labour and delivery with subsequent neonatal sepsis and death. One other infant developedCampylobacter jejuni enterocolitis at 3 days of age. Although maternalCampylobacter jejuni infection tends to be mild and self-limited, there may be more serious complications for the fetus or neonate, especially if infection occurs before the third trimester of pregnancy.