Congenital anomalies and viral infections in infant-khartoum state – Sudan

Background: Some viruses, such as rubella and human cytomegalovirus, are known to cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus. In other cases of maternal viral infections, such as herpes simplex, evidence for transplacental passage is less convincing and fetal damage or neonatal disease may be coincidental or associated with prenatal infection. Certain cases of fetal or neonatal disease following maternal viral infections may be associated with disease in the mother which affects her metabolic processes or the placenta in such a way as to interfere with development of the fetus and infant (Neighbors and Tannehill-Jones, 2010). The possible effects of transplacental viral infections are several. Fetal loss may occur by means of abortion or stillbirth. There may be infection of the fetus, with clinical manifestations such as rash, or without clinical manifestations. The infant may be born with congenital defects, including such deformities as cataracts, cardiac anomalies, mental retardation or cerebral palsy. ( Huong Mc Lean, 2014) Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the common viral infection as a causative agent in congenital babies in Khartoum state- Sudan. Results: The results of the study revealed presence of Rubella IgM in (10) cases and IgG in (90) cases, Cytomegallo virus IgM in (10%) of cases. HSV-1 IgM was detected in (20%) of cases. HSV-2 IgM is not detected in all cases while HSV-2 IgG is positive in 10 cases. All viruses in study Assimilation 40% of Congenital babies causative Agents. In 80% of positive cases related to Rubella (IgM) there were maternal Antibodies (IgG). In Cytomegallo virus IgM; (7) of (10) cases there were maternal Antibodies (IgG). In HSV-1 IgM all (20) cases there were maternal Antibodies (IgG); 100% of cases has maternal Abs). Conclusions: There were presumptive evidences that the maternal viral infection is considered as a common causative agent for congenital anomalies in Sudan.