P00: Fetus and newborn affected by maternal conditions that may be unrelated to present pregnancy

P00.2: Fetus and newborn affected by maternal infectious and parasitic diseases

Infectious illnesses are caused by pathogens. Some pathogens can be transmitted from the mother to the child. The pathogens can be transmitted via the placenta during pregnancy, for example. The placenta forms in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. The placenta consists of cells from the mother and cells from the unborn child. The umbilical cord connects the child to the placenta. Pathogens can also pass over to the child during or after the birth of the child. This can happen via bodily fluids or inhaled air, for example.

If the mother has an infectious illness, the child's health can be damaged. The damage to the child's health can be caused by the pathogens themselves. The damage to health can also be caused by fever in the mother, for example.

The child may not develop normally in the womb. Pathogens can also cause a premature birth. The child is then born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. After the birth, problems can occur with the child's breathing or circulation, for example.