Viral infection in the fetus or newborn

**Definition:** Any condition affecting fetuses or newborns, caused by an infection with a virus.

**Long definition:** Congential viral diseases are diseases caused by either the bloodborne transmission of a virus from a pregnant mother to the placenta and her fetus (horizontal infection) or less commonly a direct infection of the membranes and placenta transvaginally across the cervix (vertical transmission) during any point during gestation and through the first 28 days of life The clinical manifestations of these diseases vary depending on the viral agent and gestational age at exposure.