Toxoplasmosis
The UK NSC policy on Toxoplasmosis screening in pregnancy
More Information
Toxoplasmosis is an infection which is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii which affects all warm blooded animals including humans. Infection is caught by eating anything infected or contaminated with the parasite such as raw or under cooked meat, food contaminated with infected cat faeces or the soil where cats mess, and unpasteurised goat's milk.
Infection during pregnancy can cause damage to the unborn baby.
» Read more about toxoplasmosis on the Contact a Family website
Policy Position
Screening for toxoplasmosis in the antenatal or newborn period is not recommended.
The effect of congenital toxoplasmosis on developmental and visual impairment in later childhood is unknown. There are concerns about the reliability of the test in the pregnant population and there is no clear evidence that prenatal treatment reduces mother to fetus transmission or the severity of the condition’s effects on the infected child. There are also concerns about the adverse effects of currently available treatments.
In the newborn period the benefits of currently available treatments have not been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial, the optimum duration of treatment is not known and there are concerns about the adverse effects of treatment.
This policy was reviewed in Dec 2011 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2014/15, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
See expert review.
Stakeholders
Health Protection Agency
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Antenatal and Newborn Screening for Toxoplasmosis (October 2001) (PDF document, 142KB, 19/05/10)Knowledge update on screening for toxoplasmosis (June 2010) (PDF document, 119KB, 13/09/11)
