Chagas disease in pregnant women of Mexico: challenges and opportunities for reducing maternal-fetal risk.

BACKGROUND

Chagas disease in pregnant women remains a public health concern in Mexico, carrying risks to both maternal and fetal health.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to review Chagas disease in pregnant women reported in Mexico, including a study of 22 pregnant women infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), who were attended at the "Hospital General de México."

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A review of the literature on Chagas disease in pregnant women from Mexico, and an analysis of data of 22 pregnant patients with Chagas disease from Hospital General was carried out.

RESULTS

The review of published data revealed higher rates of T. cruzi infections among pregnant women of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Jalisco, with premature rupture of membranes being the most frequent complication. Patients from the study at Hospital General showed a T. cruzi infection rate of 14.6%, with the most frequently reported complication being abortions (50%), followed by gestational diabetes (37%). The study discusses the low sensitivity of the commercial serological test, highlighting discrepancies when compared to serological assays employing T. cruzi lineages from Mexico.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve serological diagnosis, it is essential to incorporate antigens from Mexican T. cruzi lineages. Pregnant women with Chagas disease should be screened for gestational diabetes for the potential risk of Type 2 Diabetes.