Surreal image of a mother protecting her newborn from Chagas disease.

Unmasking Chagas Disease: Why Early Detection Could Save Lives

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Congenital Chagas disease poses a significant threat to newborns. Discover how early diagnosis and intervention can dramatically improve outcomes and why current follow-up procedures may be falling short."

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, primarily affects people in Latin America. While often associated with rural areas, congenital transmission—from mother to child—remains a critical concern even in urban settings. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, can lead to severe health issues if left untreated, particularly in newborns.

Early detection and treatment are vital in managing congenital Chagas disease. The disease’s impact on newborns can be significantly reduced with timely intervention. However, many cases go undiagnosed, leading to chronic conditions and increased morbidity. For young, health-conscious individuals and new parents, understanding the risks and advocating for thorough screening is essential.

A retrospective study conducted in a high-complexity hospital in La Plata, Argentina, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in diagnosing congenital Chagas disease. The research underscores the importance of improving follow-up procedures and early detection strategies to ensure better outcomes for affected children.

The Silent Threat: Understanding Congenital Chagas Disease

Surreal image of a mother protecting her newborn from Chagas disease.

Congenital Chagas disease occurs when a mother infected with Trypanosoma cruzi passes the parasite to her child during pregnancy. This transmission can lead to a range of health problems in the newborn, including heart issues, digestive problems, and neurological complications. Because many infected newborns show no immediate symptoms, the disease often goes unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage.

The study in La Plata analyzed data from pregnant women with positive Chagas serology and their children born between 2011 and 2016. Researchers reviewed clinical records to assess the rate of congenital Chagas disease and evaluate the effectiveness of current diagnostic and follow-up practices. The findings revealed critical gaps in the healthcare system's ability to identify and treat affected infants promptly. Of the 55 mother-son pairs analyzed, a significant portion of the mothers were from Bolivia (54.3%), Argentina (30.9%), and Paraguay (14.5%). This highlights the importance of considering geographic risk factors in screening efforts.

Geographic Risk: Most mothers were from Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay.
Asymptomatic Cases: A large majority of newborns showed no symptoms at birth.
Limited Follow-Up: Only a small percentage of children received adequate serological testing.
Low Detection Rate: Microstrout assay had very few positive results.

One of the most concerning findings was that only 18.2% of the children underwent follow-up serological testing. This low rate of follow-up means that many infected children are likely being missed, leading to delayed treatment and potentially severe health consequences. The researchers also noted that a microstrout assay, performed on a subset of newborns, had a low positive result rate of 2.7%. This suggests that current diagnostic methods may not be sensitive enough to detect all cases of congenital Chagas disease.

A Call to Action: Improving Early Detection and Follow-Up

The study's conclusion is clear: follow-up care for children at risk of congenital Chagas disease is deficient. This deficiency leads to lost opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment, which are critical for curing the disease and preventing long-term health problems. Improving early detection and follow-up requires a multi-pronged approach. Healthcare providers should prioritize screening pregnant women, particularly those from endemic areas. More sensitive diagnostic tests are needed to accurately identify infected newborns. Additionally, robust follow-up systems must be implemented to ensure that all at-risk children receive timely testing and treatment. By addressing these gaps, we can protect the health and well-being of future generations.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.04.4139, Alternate LINK

Title: Lost Opportunities In Congenital Chagas Disease: Retrospective Study In A High Complexity Hospital Of La Plata City

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: D. Santonato, G. De La Parra, M. Lares, F. Argüello, P. Vizcarra, K. Aguilera, Y. Nuccetelli, I. Roccia Rossi, V. Angeletti, M.L. Yantorno, N. Lattour, E. Inwinkelried, A. Coppola

Published: 2018-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is congenital Chagas disease and why is early detection so important for newborns?

Congenital Chagas disease occurs when a mother infected with the parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi* passes it to her child during pregnancy. This can lead to various health issues in the newborn, such as heart problems, digestive issues, and neurological complications. Early detection and treatment are critical to prevent long-term health problems. Undetected, the disease can progress, leading to chronic conditions and increased morbidity. Improving early detection and follow-up involves screening pregnant women, especially those from endemic areas, and implementing more sensitive diagnostic tests and robust follow-up systems.

What critical gaps in healthcare were revealed by the study regarding the diagnosis and follow-up of congenital Chagas disease?

The study revealed that only 18.2% of children born to mothers with positive Chagas serology received adequate follow-up serological testing. Additionally, the microstrout assay, a diagnostic test used on a subset of newborns, showed a low positive result rate of just 2.7%. These findings highlight significant gaps in healthcare systems' ability to promptly identify and treat affected infants. This results in lost opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment, which are crucial for curing the disease and preventing long-term health problems.

Which geographic areas are most associated with congenital Chagas disease, and why is this information important for screening?

Areas where Chagas disease is endemic include Latin American countries, particularly Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. A study showed that a significant portion of mothers with positive Chagas serology were from these regions, emphasizing the importance of considering geographic risk factors in screening efforts. Screening pregnant women from these areas should be prioritized to improve early detection and outcomes. Congenital transmission, though primarily associated with rural areas, is also a concern in urban settings.

Why is early diagnosis and treatment critical in managing congenital Chagas disease?

Early diagnosis is vital because congenital Chagas disease can have devastating effects on newborns if left untreated. Timely intervention can significantly reduce the disease's impact and prevent long-term health problems. The parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi* can cause heart issues, digestive problems, and neurological complications. However, many cases go undiagnosed due to the absence of immediate symptoms, highlighting the need for improved early detection strategies and follow-up procedures. Early treatment can cure the disease and prevent chronic conditions.

What are the key steps needed to improve follow-up care for children at risk of congenital Chagas disease?

Improving follow-up care for children at risk of congenital Chagas disease involves a multi-pronged approach. Healthcare providers should prioritize screening pregnant women, particularly those from endemic areas such as Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. More sensitive diagnostic tests, beyond the microstrout assay, are needed to accurately identify infected newborns. Additionally, robust follow-up systems must be implemented to ensure that all at-risk children receive timely testing and treatment. Addressing these gaps is crucial for protecting the health and well-being of future generations. The retrospective study emphasizes the importance of improving follow-up procedures and early detection strategies to ensure better outcomes for affected children.