TABLE 2:

Recommended clinical investigations for suspected congenital infections

Review maternal history (Table 5) Assess the infant Physical examination Gestational age, height, weight, head circumference Liver/spleen size Skin lesions Ophthalmological examination (paediatric expert) Laboratory Complete blood count and smear, and platelet count Liver transaminase levels and bilirubin level (direct and indirect) Cerebrospinal fluid examination (cells, protein, microbiological [see Table 3]) Maternal and infant sera for microbiological testing (not cord blood [see Table 3]) Total serum immunoglobulin M Hold pretransfusion blood for possible additional tests Other investigations Cranial computed tomographic scan with enhancement Long bone x-rays (if syphilis, rubella likely) Placental pathology Follow-up Audiology assessment Serology