TB in a pregnant woman

[GooeyRN]

Does anyone know... If a pregnant woman becomes infected with TB, does the TB cross the placenta? And if so, what damage can it do to the baby?

[GatorNNP]

Transplacental transmission is possible but most likely only if it is the mothers primary infection during pregnancy or if it is tuberculous endometritis. It would be more likely if the mom also had HIV. So it is actually pretty rare to see congenital tuberculosis.

The most likely scenario is transmission of disease in the postpartum period, although many babies do not develop the disease. Mortality for congenital tuberculosis is about 50%. If the mother has active disease in pregnancy and begins treatment at least 3 weeks prior to birth, separation is not considered necessary.

If a mom is PPD pos but neg xray and no symptoms then no separation. If she has an abnormal chest xray, then they recommend separating until she is proven non contagious (cultures). If the mother must be separated until treatment is going etc. She can still pump expressed milk and have someone give it to her baby as long as good handwashing is followed.

This is from Fanaroff's Neonatal-Perinatal medicine book 7thed.