**5. Conclusion**

*Congenital Anomalies in Newborn Infants - Clinical and Etiopathological Perspectives*

is not known to be associated with congenital anomalies.

**4.3 Congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus syndrome**

**4.2 Enterovirus**

lies or fetal death [65].

suspected [66, 68].

**4.4 West Nile Virus**

results in congenital anomalies.

**4.5 Adenovirus**

developing countries and can commonly cause preterm delivery in infected mothers with resultant poor neonatal outcomes [63, 64]. When HEV is transmitted vertically, hepatitis can be present from birth and persist throughout the infant's life but

Enteroviruses are a group of RNA viruses that can spread between humans via respiratory routes, vertically, and fecal-oral transmission [18]. Symptoms in adults and children can be varied and may include respiratory, dermatologic, neurologic, ocular, cardiac, muscular, and gastrointestinal manifestations [18]. When enterovirus is transmitted vertically or more commonly peripartum, the neonate may remain asymptomatic without sequelae or have severe symptoms including septic shock with multiorgan dysfunction [65]. There is limited evidence to suggest that infection with enterovirus during pregnancy is associated with congenital anoma-

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a single-stranded RNA virus spread by rodents which can cross the placenta; rarely it can be transmitted during delivery by exposure to maternal secretions or blood and cause congenital viral infection [66–68]. Infected pregnant women can have non-specific viral symptoms and may report direct exposure to or the presence of rodents in their homes [66, 68]. Common findings in an infant affected by LCMV are macrocephaly or microcephaly and ocular abnormalities; additionally, neurological abnormalities may be present and include hydrocephalus, periventricular calcifications, seizures, neurodevelopmental sequelae including intellectual disability, or even death [67, 68]. These symptoms suggest a similarity with other congenital infections previously discussed, such as CMV or toxoplasmosis, which may contribute to an underestimation of the prevalence of LCMV when congenital infection is

The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that was initially isolated in 1937 and did not reach the United States until an outbreak in 1999 [69–71]. The primary mode of transmission is through the bite of an infected *Culex* species mosquito, with individuals ranging from no symptoms to 0.7% of infected individuals developing neuro-invasive disease with encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis possible [69]. There is no specific treatment or vaccine at this time [70]. Case reports of infants born to mothers with WNV have shown an array of outcomes, with follow up at 2–3 years of age not consistently showing any developmental delays [69]. Findings have included chorioretinitis, white-matter loss and cystic changes, and congenital defects such as lissencephaly, polydactyly, aortic coarctation and cleft palate [69]. Additional studies on the impact of infants with exposure during gestation, and longer-term outcomes are needed to truly delineate if WNV

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are DNA viruses in the Adenoviridae family, with 7 subgroups and 52 serotypes [72]. While typically the cause of a "cold", the severity

**54**

Many of the maternal infections that previously resulted in significant impact and poor outcomes on the developing fetus have improved as treatments and vaccines have been introduced and refined. However, other pathogens are now becoming more apparent in their impact on fetal development, such as Zika virus. Some infections are declining in incidence, with a resultant decrease in congenital infections (such as the nearly 80% decline in Rubella infections) [51]. Other infections are continuing to increase, with the true impact on society yet to be determined. Thus, it is imperative that we monitor any infections in a pregnant woman, and complete a thorough examination and evaluation of each infant born with the hopes of identifying any abnormalities quickly and improving the outcomes of each infant to the best of our ability.
