Why is a tick dangerous for a pregnant woman? - briefly
Ticks transmit pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia and Anaplasma that can cross the placenta, causing fetal infection, miscarriage or developmental abnormalities. The resulting fever and systemic inflammation raise the risk of preterm labor and other obstetric complications.
Why is a tick dangerous for a pregnant woman? - in detail
Ticks transmit pathogens that can cause severe maternal and fetal complications. The most common agents include Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), and Rickettsia spp. (spotted fevers). Infection during pregnancy may lead to:
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Preterm labor
- Congenital infection with neurologic or cardiac sequelae
- Placental inflammation, impairing nutrient transfer
Lyme disease illustrates the risk. Spirochetes can cross the placenta, resulting in fetal myocarditis, arthropathy, or developmental delays. Early maternal treatment with doxycycline is contraindicated because of teratogenicity; alternative regimens (e.g., ceftriaxone) are required, delaying therapy and increasing the chance of adverse outcomes.
Tick‑borne viruses, such as tick‑borne encephalitis virus, can cross the blood‑brain barrier in the mother and, rarely, affect the fetus, causing neurodevelopmental disorders. Rickettsial infections may produce vasculitis, compromising placental blood flow and leading to fetal growth restriction.
Immunologic changes in pregnancy, characterized by a shift toward Th2‑dominant responses, reduce the ability to clear intracellular pathogens. Consequently, maternal infection persists longer, raising the probability of transplacental transmission.
Prevention strategies focus on avoidance and prompt removal:
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas.
- Apply repellents containing DEET or picaridin on skin and clothing.
- Conduct body checks after outdoor exposure; remove attached ticks within 24 hours using fine‑point tweezers, grasping close to the mouthparts.
- Maintain landscaped yards to reduce tick habitat.
If a tick is found attached, documentation of the species and duration of attachment assists clinicians in assessing infection risk. Serologic testing for Lyme and other tick‑borne diseases should be considered, especially when the bite occurs in a high‑incidence region.
«Prompt identification and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential to minimize maternal morbidity and protect fetal health».