Congenital Infection Program

Congenital Infection Program
Meet the Team

When you are pregnant, your greatest priority is protecting the health of your baby. A congenital infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. The infection is passed to the baby during pregnancy or may be in the birth canal during delivery.

If you are concerned about a congenital infection and wonder whether your child could be affected, turn to the experts in the Congenital Infection Program at Children’s National Hospital.

Our Providers

Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.

Meet the Team

Contact Information

To make an appointment, please call 1-888-884-BEAR (2327). For information, call 202-476-7409.

Appointments Information

We are one of the first comprehensive congenital infection programs in the country, dedicated to providing care during and after your pregnancy.

Choosing Children’s National for Congenital Infection Care

Children’s National is home to one of the first specialized programs for congenital infections in the region, and we are dedicated to providing your child with the best possible care.

Highlights of our program include:

Unparalleled expertise and care. Our team of experts provide expecting families with a comprehensive diagnosis and care plan. As one of the first comprehensive specialty programs in the country, we have the right team and expertise to ensure that you receive quality care and treatment. Meet our team.
Innovative research that can help your child. Our program, a collaboration between the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute and Division of Infectious Disease, is led by Sarah B. Mulkey, MD, PhD, and Roberta DeBiasi, MD, two of the foremost experts in their fields. Together, they lead a team of physicians and scientists who are involved in ongoing research working toward furthering understanding the impact of congenital infections on the developing brain.
Seamless process with support services. Our program’s specialists are here to provide you and your doctor with an accurate and streamlined diagnosis and management plan. In addition, our compassionate care coordinators will work closely with you to streamline testing and schedule follow-up tests as needed.

What is a Congenital Infection?

Congenital infections can affect the unborn fetus or newborn infant. They can affect the baby’s brain, vision or hearing. They are generally caused by viruses that may be picked up by the baby at any time during the pregnancy up through the time of delivery.

Congenital infections can also go unrecognized because the mother may not have symptoms of being sick and the baby may not get tested. A mother can also have a viral illness during pregnancy that does not pass directly to the baby, like the flu virus. When a mother has an illness during pregnancy and fever, special evaluation of the baby before and after delivery may be helpful.

Congenital Infections We Treat

Our program evaluates the following congenital infections:

Chagas
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
COVID-19
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Enterovirus
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
HIV/AIDS
Lyme
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)
Malaria
New emerging threats
Parvovirus B19
Rubella
Serious bacterial infection or other viral infection in the mother, including seasonal influenza
Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis
Zika virus

Deciding on Diagnosis and Care for Congenital Infections

Congenital infections are likely under-recognized because they are not always evaluated for in every pregnancy. Some congenital infections can be treated and you should contact us if you:

Have a diagnosed congenital infection during your pregnancy or in your baby after birth
Have a concern that your baby may have a congenital infection that has not been diagnosed
Have had a serious viral (i.e. seasonal influenza or COVID-19) or bacterial infection during pregnancy

Contact your primary care provider or seek care right away if you are currently pregnant, and have a serious bacterial or other viral infection. Our program can evaluate the health of your baby for all types of congenital infections after you get well. Prior to your consultation, you should be free of symptoms and without fever.

Congenital Infection Referrals

If you are a healthcare provider and looking for more information on patient referrals, visit our Congenital Infection Referral Guidelines page.

Read referral guidelines

Patient Stories

Helping Dottie Grow Up Gracefully
A rare genetic condition doesn"t keep Dottie from lighting up every room. With expert care for her whole family, navigating the unknown becomes a little less scary.
A Last Resort Restores Hope for Brody
When Brody suddenly lost his hearing, his family began a quest for answers that brought them to Children's National Hospital. Thanks to our audiology specialists and other experts, he can enjoy his favorite passion � boating and spending time on the water with his family.
Lifesaving Surgery
Bishop came to Children's National Hospital in her mid-20s after receiving a rare congenital heart defect diagnosis. Our cardiac team considered her case one in a million, since these kinds of defects usually present in infancy. Surgery helped Bishop get back to her normal life.

Mackenzie's Brave Journey
When Mackenzie failed a routine hearing screening in kindergarten, no one imagined it would indicate a brain tumor. Care at Children's National over 70 weeks, including participation in a clinical trial, got Mackenzie back to living her life and preparing to be an astronaut when she grows up (or a veterinarian!).
Understanding the Developing Brain Leads to Healthier Babies
When she was pregnant with Immanuel, Alisha joined a research study exploring the impact of stress, anxiety and depression on babies in utero. She contributed to science and improved her mental health, which helped her bond with her son after he was born.
Saving Ashley's Life — Twice
"My parents always recall how the doctors and nurses in the PICU understood that my life was in their hands," Ashley says. "They saved my life, but it wouldn't be the last time."

Advice From Our Experts

Want advice on raising healthy, happy kids? The experts at Children's National are here for you! Get reliable advice from trusted doctors on the Rise and Shine blog. We're sharing our knowledge on everything from children's health to practical parenting tips.

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