While not inherited, they may be related to untoward events during pregnancy, including maternal infections or hormonal abnormalities.

In addition, maternal viral infections may cause damage to the fetal brain due to increase in inflammatory cytokines produced during infection.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of maternal infection during gestation reduces the likelihood of large inflammatory responses.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis associated with maternal infection with syphilis.

Consequences of maternal infection during this interval are embryonic and fetal death followed by resorption and mummification respectively.

The pathologic sequelae of maternal infection during gestation have been described (see the section on clinical signs).

She showed that rubella damage caused by exposure to maternal infection during pregnancy could continue after birth.

Although the virus can cross the maternal-fetal barrier during pregnancy, the fetus does not appear to be affected by either maternal infection or polio vaccination.

Even in the face of an obvious maternal infection, most fetuses do not develop hydrops fetalis.

Rubella is the most serious maternal infection and can cause severe mental and physical damage if contracted during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.