Study on the prevalence of congenital in neonates with Jaundice

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease of world wide distribution caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It infects all species of mammals and birds. The present study aimed to study the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in neonates with jaundice estimation of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG and IgM] in neonates with jaundice by the indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. The study was done on 78 neonates with jaundice [Group I] and ten healthy neonates as a control group [Group II] with estimation of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG and IgM] in all selected neonates by the indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. In group I anti- Toxoplasma IgG was positive in 23 cases [29.4%] while anti-Toxoplasma IgM was positive in 10 cases [12.8%]. In group II anti-Toxopasma IgG was positive in one case [10%] and anti- Toxoplasma IgM was negative. From the present study we concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis must be born in mind in the differential diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis should be done in neonates for early detection of subclinical cases and early treatment to reduce the severe long-term sequelae