OBJECTIVE: to describe ultrasonographic alterations in fetuses infected with Toxoplasma gondii, correlating them with neonatal prognosis. METHODS: between June 1997 and May 2003, 150 pregnant women with suspected toxiplasmosis were examined. Acute infection was confirmed in 72 (48%) of these pregnant women and congenital toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 12 (16%) fetuses. Prenatal diagnosis was established by polymerase chain reaction in the amniotic fluid. All the patients received antiparasitic therapy. Ultrasound examination was performed every fortnight and all the infants were evaluated during their first year of life. RESULTS: ultrasonographic changes were observed in eight fetuses. All of them showed symmetric bilateral ventricular enlargement that was associated with periventricular calcifications in five cases. Other changes as hepatic calcification, hepatomegaly, polyhydramnium, and pericardial effusion were less frequent. Among these fetuses, four were stillborn and three showed sequelae (chorioretinitis and neuro-psychomotor retardation). The four fetuses that showed normal ultrasonography had a satisfactory development. CONCLUSION: There was a high incidence of ultrasonographic changes in fetuses with congenital toxoplasmosis, mainly brain damage. Other changes as hepatomegaly and pericardial effusion were less frequent and were related to a systemic infection. The prognosis of these fetuses seems to be correlated with the presence of these lesions mainly because they had high mortality ratio and among the survivors the incidence of sequelae was high. The non-symptomatic fetuses evolved in a favorable way without developing sequelae. These results highlight the value of ultrasonographic examination of these fetuses in order to establish a prognosis and allow the elaboration of a suitable post-natal procedure.
Congenital toxoplasmosis; Ultrasonography; Prenatal diagnosis
