Impact of Perinatally-Acquired Infections on Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes

Perinatal medicine continually grapples with the widespread burden of infections acquired around the time of birth and their significance for the health of mothers and infants. Perinatally acquired infections—whether contracted in utero, during delivery, or shortly thereafter—are responsible for a notable proportion of adverse obstetric outcomes, including preterm labor, fetal growth restriction, and postpartum complications. These infections are also closely linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality, manifesting both acutely and through long-lasting sequelae that affect organ development and function. Recent research has illuminated complexities in the interplay between the timing and etiology of infection, host immune responses, and environmental determinants; however, critical gaps persist. The precise mechanisms by which specific pathogens, maternal factors, and placental pathology contribute to disease variability require in-depth exploration, as do strategies for reducing persistent disparities across global and local settings.This Research Topic aims to advance a holistic understanding of how perinatally acquired infections shape obstetric and neonatal outcomes through integrative clinical, epidemiological, and translational avenues. By connecting the fields of obstetrics and neonatology, the topic intends to unravel the spectrum of maternal and infant complications arising from perinatal infections. It seeks to encourage investigations dissecting the mechanisms of disease, evaluating risk assessment and stratification, and highlighting innovative approaches for early detection, prevention, and intervention. Ultimately, the goal is to foster insights that may inform tailored clinical pathways and public health initiatives to mitigate adverse outcomes.Focusing on the range of perinatally acquired infections, this Research Topic sets its boundaries around infections impacting pregnancy and the immediate postnatal period, with an emphasis on the consequences for both mother and child. Contributions should address interactions between pathogens, host responses, and care strategies within this clinical timeframe.We welcome articles encompassing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Maternal infections during pregnancy and effects on fetal growth, preterm birth, and complicationso Mechanisms and frequency of vertical transmission of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic agentso Pathophysiological links between perinatal infection and neonatal morbidityo Short- and long-term neonatal outcomes, including respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal sequelaeo Roles of inflammation, immune dysregulation, and placental pathology in adverse outcomeso Developments in diagnostics, screening, and biomarkers for perinatal infectionso Advances in prevention and therapeutics: vaccination, antimicrobial strategies, and perinatal care protocolso Global health disparities and context-specific challenges in the burden and management of perinatal infectionsThis Research Topic welcomes Original Research articles, Systematic Reviews, Narrative Reviews, and Clinical Studies focusing on the understanding, prevention, and management of perinatally acquired infections and their consequences for obstetric and neonatal health. Topic editors: Rose Marie Viscardi, Suhas Kallapur Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78269/impact-of-perinatally-acquired-infections-on-obstetric-and-neonatal-outcomes