Which condition often results from maternal listeriosis affecting fetuses or infants?

Maternal listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, can have severe consequences for fetuses and newborns. One significant outcome of this infection is the increased risk of intellectual disabilities in infants. Listeriosis can lead to complications such as fetal distress, premature birth, or stillbirth. If the infant survives but has been affected by the infection, they may experience developmental issues resulting from the impact of the infection on the developing brain.

Among the potential conditions linked to maternal listeriosis, intellectual disabilities are critically noted because the developing nervous system can be particularly vulnerable. This vulnerability can stem from a variety of factors including the inflammatory response to the infection and neurological damage that may occur during critical periods of brain development.

While cardiovascular defects and neurological deficits can also arise from various maternal infections or complications during pregnancy, intellectual disabilities specifically relate to the cognitive functioning that may be impaired in children following exposure to certain infections like listeriosis. Mental health disorders, while potentially arising later in life due to various environmental and genetic factors, are less directly associated with maternal listeriosis than the immediate risks of cognitive impairment.