A systemic review of clinical data collected on toxoplasma infection between 1954 and 2009 was recently published out of the University of Guadalajara. Medical professionals in Mexico believe as many as 58 out of 10,000 newborns are affected by toxoplasma infection, but an asymptomatic presentation means they are never diagnosed. In an attempt to reinforce the idea of placing the toxoplasma test on the newborn screening list, researchers gathered information from more than 5,500 newborns born over a 55 year span.
In all, records of 4,833 newborns with no toxoplasma infection symptoms were evaluated. About 0.6% or 30 newborns tested positive for the infection. About 900 symptomatic newborns were also tested with a positive result in 3% or 27 newborns. While the number of asymptomatic positive tests were lower, by percentage, the results were statistically significant enough to support testing all pregnant women and newborns for toxoplasma infection. If realized early, the infection can be treated to reduce any negative side effects on pregnancy or newborn health.
Source: Galvan-Ramírez MD, Troyo-Sanroman R, Roman S, Bernal-Redondo R, Vázquez Castellanos JL. Prevalence of Toxoplasma Infection in Mexican Newborns and Children: A Systematic Review from 1954 to 2009. ISRN Pediatr. 2012;2012:501216. Epub 2012 Sep 25.