Effective treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy to prevent perinatal and infant complications.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent cause of sexually transmitted disease in the United States today. Prenatal health care providers must learn to recognize and effectively treat chlamydial infection in order to help prevent serious consequences in the pregnant woman and in the neonate. This article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infection during pregnancy and during the neonatal period. Patient education of women infected during pregnancy should include guidelines for helping parents and care providers monitor the neonate for signs of conjunctivitis and pneumonia.