The program for antenatal screening of toxoplasmosis in Finland: a prospective cohort study

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1992:84:70-4.

Abstract

16,733 pregnant women were studied for toxoplasma specific antibodies during an 18-month period. The number of specimens was 44,181. The IgG seropositivity of mothers was 20.3%. The incidence of primary toxoplasma infections during pregnancy was 4.2 per 1000 seronegative pregnancies by using the traditional criteria, IgG seroconversion and/or a positive IgM. By using the IgG activity test as an additional criterion, the incidence was 2.4 per 1000 seronegative pregnancies. Due to transmission rate of 40%, the number of congenital toxoplasma infections in Finland is more than 50 per year. The evaluation is going on and the cost-benefit analysis will reveal the effectiveness of antenatal screening.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Female
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan