Congenital Infection Referral Guidelines

The Congenital Infection Program at Children’s National Hospital provides advanced diagnostics and consultation for your pregnant and infant patients with concerns about a possible exposure to a virus that would cause a congenital infection. Our program staff are leaders in international research initiatives, giving us first-hand access to – and knowledge of – the latest findings to help you and your patients.

How should I initially evaluate and manage my patient?

If you have concerns that your patient may have been exposed to a virus that would cause a congenital infection or had a serious viral or bacterial infection during pregnancy, please consult the guidelines below to assess when to refer to the Congenital Infection Program.

Pregnant women who:

Have a serious viral (seasonal influenza, COVID-19, etc.) or bacterial infection during pregnancy
Have positive testing for congenital infections during pregnancy
Have fetal U.S. findings of brain abnormalities in the baby that can be due to a congenital infection (i.e., microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, calcifications, abnormal cortex)

Infants who:

Have a concern for a congenital infection
Have known maternal infection during pregnancy
Have maternal testing during pregnancy that is positive or inconclusive for a congenital infection

When should I refer my patient?

How can I refer my patient?

What can my patient expect from a visit to Children's National Hospital?

Specialists from the Fetal Medicine Institute and the Division of Infectious Disease lead a multidisciplinary team that will provide your patient with comprehensive assessments and expert personalized recommendations based on the most recent findings and guidelines.

Once your patient is referred into the program, the multidisciplinary team will provide:

Streamlined testing
Advanced fetal and newborn neuroimaging
Comprehensive consultation
Coordinated multidisciplinary diagnosis and management tailored to each individual