Can gonorrhea be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus?

Gonorrhea can indeed be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus. The infection primarily occurs during childbirth when the baby passes through the birth canal, which is contaminated with the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. If the mother is infected, there is a significant risk of the child contracting the infection at this time. Transmission can lead to serious complications such as ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an eye infection that can cause blindness if left untreated.

While the risk of transmission is particularly high during childbirth, it’s important to acknowledge that the presence of the infection in the mother poses a threat throughout the pregnancy. Awareness and treatment of gonorrhea in pregnant women are crucial in preventing infection to the fetus and ensuring a healthy pregnancy outcome. Thus, indicating that gonorrhea can be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus highlights the importance of prenatal care and screening for sexually transmitted infections.