BACKGROUND: Pregnancy Associated Malaria (PAM) include malaria in pregnancy (MiP), placental malaria (PM), and congenital malaria (CM). The evidence available in Colombia on PAM focuses on one of the presentations (MiP, PM or CM), and no study longitudinally analyses the infection from the pregnant woman, passing through the placenta, until culminating in the newborn. This study determined the frequency of MiP, PM, and CM caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, or mixed infections, according to Thick Blood Smear (TBS) and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Identifying associated factors of PAM and clinical-epidemiological outcomes in northwestern Colombia.
METHODS: Prospective study of 431 pregnant women, their placenta, and newborns registered in the data bank of the research Group \"Salud y Comunidad César Uribe Piedrahíta\" which collected information between 2014 and 2020 in endemic municipalities of the departments of Córdoba and Antioquia. The frequency of infection was determined with 95% confidence intervals. Comparisons were made with the Chi-square test, Student t-test, prevalence ratios, and control for confounding variables by log-binomial regression.
RESULTS: The frequency of MiP was 22.3% (4.6% using TBS), PM 24.8% (1.4% using TBS), and CM 11.8% (0% using TBS). Using TBS predominated P. vivax. Using qPCR the proportions of P. vivax and P. falciparum were similar for MiP and PM, but P. falciparum predominated in CM. The frequency was higher in nulliparous, and women with previous malaria. The main clinical effects of PAM were anaemia, low birth weight, and abnormal APGAR score.
CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of infections was not detected with TBS because most cases were submicroscopic (TBS-negative, qPCR-positive). This confirmed the importance of improving the molecular detection of cases. PAM continue being underestimated in the country due to that in Colombia the control programme is based on TBS, despite its outcomes on maternal, and congenital health.

The disseminated herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) carries a high mortality rate in pregnant women if left unrecognized. It often presents as unrelieved fever and hepatitis. Diagnosis is challenging due to vague symptoms and potential overlap with other conditions. Pregnancy is a risk factor as it conforms to a partially immunocompromised state. Dissemination to the brain could be devastating, and the treatment requires intravenous antivirals like acyclovir. Fetal outcomes are variable based on previous case reports. We present a case of young female gravida 1 para 1 who presented with disseminated HSV infection mimicking HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets) syndrome. She responded well to intravenous acyclovir, and the fetus had a viable outcome at the 26th week of gestation. Early diagnosis can prevent progression to fulminant liver failure and the need for a liver transplant.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the characteristics of neonates with perinatal/congenital infections (PCI) receiving care at a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program of a university hospital.
METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with secondary data, obtained from records of neonates with diagnosis of and/or suspicion for PCI who received care between 2017 and 2019.
RESULTS: The information analyzed referred to 164 neonates who attended the service and were submitted to Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS). The most prevalent infection was syphilis (67.7%), followed by HIV (20.1%). An expressive number of neonates failed NHS (11.5%). An association was verified between the cases of syphilis and HIV and older mothers (p < 0.035).
CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the prevalence of PCI was observed, proving it to be an important indicator, whereas these infections can be prevented. In all the years analyzed, syphilis was the most recurrent RIHL. NHS is a means of early diagnosis and intervention that must necessarily be performed in the first months of the child\'s life.

Disseminated herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection, is a rare but devastating infection in pregnancy women. We present the case of a 30-year-old gravida 3, para 2-0-0-2, at 26 weeks 2 days gestation who presented with eleven days of vague and indolent symptoms before a diagnosis of disseminated HSV-2 infection with associated hepatitis was made. While the patient clinically improved with empiric acyclovir treatment, possibility of significant harm to the fetus remained, and the patient request elective termination. The authors review the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disseminated HSV-2 infection in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis continues to be a public health problem in Mexico.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the similarities and differences between national standards, guidelines and international documents related to the detection of syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis.
METHODS: Two algorithms were developed based on the standard of female care during pregnancy and on the standard for prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections. Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, algorithms were developed for syphilis during pregnancy, syphilis in the newborn and sexual contacts.
RESULTS: The standard for pregnancy mentions that syphilis testing should be carried out in every pregnant woman on her first contact or at delivery, without diagnostic tests being specified. The Official Mexican Standard (NOM) on sexually transmitted infections mentions the traditional algorithm for syphilis detection, treatment follow-up, coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus and congenital syphilis criteria. The CDC recommend reverse algorithm, antibody titer, treatment and follow-up as part of diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis requires NOMs updating and homogenizing, as well as the study of stillbirths and neonates born to mothers with syphilis.

UNASSIGNED: Congenital syphilis continues to be a public health problem in Mexico.
UNASSIGNED: To assess the similarities and differences between national standards, guidelines and international documents related to the detection of syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis.
UNASSIGNED: Two algorithms were developed based on the standard of female care during pregnancy and on the standard for prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections. Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, algorithms were developed for syphilis during pregnancy, syphilis in the newborn and sexual contacts.
UNASSIGNED: The standard for pregnancy mentions that syphilis testing should be carried out in every pregnant woman on her first contact or at delivery, without diagnostic tests being specified. The Official Mexican Standard (NOM) on sexually transmitted infections mentions the traditional algorithm for syphilis detection, treatment follow-up, coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus and congenital syphilis criteria. The CDC recommend reverse algorithm, antibody titer, treatment and follow-up as part of diagnosis.
UNASSIGNED: The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis requires NOMs updating and homogenizing, as well as the study of stillbirths and neonates born to mothers with syphilis.
UNASSIGNED: La sífilis congénita continúa siendo un problema de salud pública en México.
UNASSIGNED: Evaluar las similitudes y diferencias entre normas nacionales, guías y documentos internacionales relacionados con la detección de sífilis en embarazadas y sífilis congénita.
UNASSIGNED: Se elaboraron dos algoritmos basados en las normas sobre atención de la mujer durante el embarazo y sobre prevención y control de infecciones de transmisión sexual. A partir de la guía de Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) se realizaron algoritmos sobre sífilis durante el embarazo, sífilis en recién nacido y contactos sexuales.
UNASSIGNED: La norma sobre embarazo menciona que la prueba de sífilis debe efectuarse a toda mujer embarazada en su primer contacto o durante el parto, sin especificar pruebas diagnósticas. La norma oficial mexicana (NOM) sobre infecciones de transmisión sexual menciona el algoritmo tradicional para detección de sífilis, seguimiento al tratamiento, coinfección con virus de inmunodeficiencia humana y criterios de sífilis congénita. CDC recomienda algoritmo reverso, título de anticuerpos, tratamiento y seguimiento como parte del diagnóstico.
UNASSIGNED: La eliminación de la transmisión maternoinfantil de sífilis requiere actualizar y homogeneizar las NOM, así como el estudio de mortinatos y de recién nacidos de madres con sífilis.