Vertical disease transmission

Vertical disease transmission, also known as vertical transmission, is the transmission of an infection or disease from parent to offspring, either before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. This can occur in humans, animals, and even plants.

Mechanisms of Vertical Disease Transmission

Vertical disease transmission can occur in several ways:

• Prenatal transmission: This occurs when the mother passes the infection to the fetus during pregnancy. This can happen through the placenta, the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Examples of diseases that can be transmitted this way include HIV, syphilis, and rubella.

• Perinatal transmission: This occurs during the process of birth, when the baby passes through the birth canal and comes into contact with the mother's blood and bodily fluids. Diseases that can be transmitted this way include hepatitis B and gonorrhea.

• Postnatal transmission: This occurs after birth, often through breastfeeding. Diseases that can be transmitted this way include HIV and cytomegalovirus.

Prevention of Vertical Disease Transmission

Prevention of vertical disease transmission can be achieved through various methods, including:

• Prenatal screening: This involves testing the mother for certain infections during pregnancy. If the mother tests positive, treatment can be given to prevent transmission to the fetus.

• Vaccination: Some diseases can be prevented by vaccinating the mother during pregnancy.

• Cesarean section: In some cases, delivering the baby by cesarean section can prevent transmission of infection during birth.

• Antiretroviral therapy: For diseases like HIV, antiretroviral therapy can reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.

See Also

• Horizontal disease transmission
• Infectious disease
• Mother-to-child transmission