Pregnancy & Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection

Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses. They cause about 10 to 15 million infections in the United States each year.

Most pregnant women will likely be exposed to someone who is infected, especially in the summer and fall. Pregnant women have a greater chance of being infected if they do not have immunity (protection) from previous exposures to non-polio enteroviruses. However, most pregnant women who become infected will not get sick, or they will only have mild illness.

Right now, there is no clear evidence that pregnant women with non-polio enterovirus infection will have severe complications, like miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital defects. But, if a pregnant woman is infected shortly before delivery, she can pass the virus to her baby. These babies usually have only mild illness. In rare cases, they may have severe infection.

For more information, see Symptoms of non-polio enterovirus infection.