Perinatal infections and brain injury: current treatment options.

Antimicrobial therapy can ameliorate infection and prevent long-term morbidity caused by several pathogens that infect the fetus and neonate. Ultimately, however, preventive strategies need to be developed and incorporated into routine preconceptional care. The future of prevention lies in immunizations, and if past and current successes with smallpox, polio, rubella, and measles vaccination programs are any indication, the future is bright for the developing fetus.