Foreword

Article Outline

• Copyright

Somewhere well into this issue's review of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of viral infections, Jennifer Read and colleagues note that maternal to child transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a poorly recognized problem: few pregnant women are aware of it, and few health care providers make a point of educating patients about it. I might broaden that statement to apply to MTCT of viral infections in general. Here is my evidence: I googled “mother to child transmission of viral infections” and found page after page of academic references, but few lay websites. It appears that this is a topic that hasn't (yet?) hit the popular airwaves.

However, it's an important topic, with developments and new information on many fronts: peri-partum medications—for mother and/or baby; mode of delivery; and approaches to breastfeeding, to name a few. I found this update exceptionally clear and concise, a real pleasure to read as I review (again!) for pediatric board recertification. I commend it to your attention.