Overall
By Maternal Age
A growing fetus is protected in the womb from many bacteria and viruses during pregnancy. However, some pathogens can still spread to the infant during pregnancy or during birth.
Group B Streptococcus is a common type of bacteria which can be readily treated with antibiotics and which does not typically cause serious illness in healthy adults. However, if passed on to the newborn during delivery or if introduced in the uterus as a result of ruptured membranes, Group B Streptococcus can cause severe infections, and sometimes death. Other infections that can impact the health of pregnant individuals or their babies can include urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections and vaccine preventable diseases such as flu, chickenpox and rubella.
For more information on sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses, please visit the Sexual Health section of the health unit’s website or our local disease statistics. For more information about vaccine preventable diseases or immunizations, please visit the Immunization section of the health unit’s website.
Data on this page are from the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN).
Overall
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2018, approximately one in five (18.2% (17.2%, 19.3%)) reported an infection during their pregnancy. The most commonly reported infection was Group B Streptococcus, making up approximately a third (34.9% (32.0%, 38.0%)) of reported infections. Approximately one quarter were urinary tract infections (UTIs; 25.1% (22.5%, 28.0%)). Fewer than one in ten reported infections were sexually transmitted infections (8.1% (6.5%, 9.9%)). Approximately one in forty (2.5% (1.6%, 3.7%)) were seasonal influenza and 1.8% (1.1%, 2.8%) of infections were blood borne, including hepatitis and HIV.
By Maternal Age
Infections during pregnancy are most common in younger pregnant individuals, particularly for sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. Approximately one quarter of 15-24 year olds reported an infection during pregnancy (24.4% (21.0%, 28.0)) compared to 17.3% (15.1%, 18.6%) of 25-34 year olds and 17.7% (15.4%, 20.5%) of 35+ year olds.
