Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 13 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 80-85
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260710
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Child with Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Case Report
Abi Andayu1, Asrawati Nurdin1,2, Rinang Mariko1,2
1Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
2Department of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Abi Andayu
ABSTRACT
Congenital toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from an infected pregnant woman to the fetus via the transplacental route. Without timely treatment, it can lead to significant long-term morbidity. We report a 12-month longitudinal follow-up (October 2024 – October 2025) of a 3-month-old male infant initially admitted with bronchopneumonia. Comprehensive evaluation revealed the classic triad of congenital toxoplasmosis: chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and multiple intracranial calcifications. The infant was born prematurely at 32–33 weeks of gestation with a history of maternal exposure to Toxoplasma gondii through contaminated water. Diagnosis was confirmed by persistently elevated IgG anti-Toxoplasma >300 IU/mL beyond 12 months of age and CT scan findings of hydrocephalus with multiple cerebral calcifications. Co-infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) was detected by urine PCR. Cotrimoxazole (TMP-SMX) was used as an alternative first-line regimen given the unavailability of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. The child underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement for hydrocephalus and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) of the right eye. Over 12 months of follow-up, physical growth improved in accordance with age, but developmental delay persisted across all domains of the Denver II assessment. Valganciclovir therapy for CMV co-infection could not be initiated due to drug unavailability. This case highlights the critical importance of long-term multidisciplinary follow-up and active family engagement in managing congenital toxoplasmosis.
Keywords: congenital toxoplasmosis; TORCH; cotrimoxazole; long-term follow-up; hydrocephalus; CMV co-infection; ventriculoperitoneal shunt
[PDF Full Text]