Potential Complications:
Toxoplasmosis
Compiled by The Cradle Staff
hat is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis – sometimes referred to as “kitty litter disease” – is a rare, yet serious, blood infection. If contracted during your pregnancy while the major organs are forming, there is a chance of your baby developing problems that range from low birth weight and premature birth to developmental problems and retardation.
How common is it?
One out of 1,000 – 8,000 babies in the US are born with toxoplasmosis.
Am I at risk for toxoplasmosis?
If you had genetic screening, you might have been tested for your immunity to toxoplasmosis. If you are not immune, the following are risk factors for the disease:
- Ingesting contaminated fruits, vegetables, or undercooked meats. (Interestingly, toxoplasmosis is not all that common in France where they enjoy uncooked meats.)
- Contact with cat waste which might contain the parasite (toxoplasma gondii) that causes the infection. (Hence the “kitty litter disease” moniker.)
- Living in a humid region. Studies show that more than half of the population in South America and Africa are infected with the disease.
How can I protect myself?
If you are a long-time cat owner, exposure to contaminated litter might have already developed into immunity to the disease. However, if you are not immune and you have a cat, you have a great excuse to not clean the litter box for the next nine months. (Hey, after all of the sacrifices that you’re making during pregnancy, this is one perk you can enjoy!)
You should also refrain from gardening – or at least hold off on gardening in areas where outdoor cats might dig or use the area as a "natural" litter box.
And lastly, avoid raw or undercooked meats. (This will also minimize your risk of other food-borne illnesses.)
What if I contract toxoplasmosis? How will I know? What can I do?
This is a tricky one, since signs of toxoplasmosis are similar to signs of many other illnesses. You might develop a fever, feel tired, or develop swollen lymph nodes. Unfortunately, sometimes there are no signs of the infection at all.
If you suspect you might have toxoplasmosis during your pregnancy, your doctor can run a test called cordocentisis. If you are diagnosed with the infection, multiple rounds of antibiotics could help to ward off any harmful effects on the baby.
Hopefully, you should have little to worry about if you keep away from cat litter, undercooked meats, fruits and vegetables that don’t look fresh, and gardening in areas that are used by outdoor cats.
This article was compiled using information from the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
March of Dimes
Mayo Clinic
