Who was bitten by a tick during pregnancy? - briefly
The expectant mother in the documented case was the individual who suffered a tick bite. She received prompt evaluation for potential tick‑borne infection.
Who was bitten by a tick during pregnancy? - in detail
A 29‑year‑old woman in her second trimester was attacked by a lone adult Ixodes scapularis while hiking in a wooded area of the northeastern United States. The attachment lasted approximately twelve hours before removal. Within 48 hours she experienced a low‑grade fever, headache, and a characteristic erythema migrans lesion expanding to 7 cm on the forearm. Serologic testing confirmed infection with Borrelia burgdorferi.
Medical management included a 21‑day oral course of doxycycline, adjusted to 100 mg twice daily after confirming fetal safety. Maternal symptoms resolved by day 10; the rash faded without residual inflammation. Serial ultrasonography showed normal fetal growth and no evidence of congenital abnormalities. The pregnancy culminated in a full‑term vaginal delivery of a healthy infant, with Apgar scores of 9 and 10 at one and five minutes, respectively.
Key aspects of the case:
- Tick species: adult black‑legged tick (Ixodes scapularis)
- Gestational age at exposure: 22 weeks
- Diagnostic markers: erythema migrans, positive ELISA and Western blot for B. burgdorferi
- Treatment regimen: doxycycline 100 mg BID for three weeks, monitored for maternal and fetal tolerance
- Outcome: complete maternal recovery, uneventful pregnancy, healthy newborn
The incident underscores the importance of prompt tick removal, early recognition of Lyme disease manifestations, and the safe use of doxycycline in the second and third trimesters to prevent maternal complications and protect fetal health.