Recognizing Congenital Lyme Disease Symptoms in Your Child: What Every Parent Should Know

Lyme disease can be transmitted through a tick bite, that carries the bacteria, “Borrelia burgdorferi”. Congenital Lyme disease is a condition, where the disease is transmitted to the foetus from the mother in utero.

Researchers have detected around 59 cases of Lyme disease, between 1969-2017. What can be the cause of congenital Lyme disease? How does it affect fetal health? In this blog, we will explore the early symptoms of Lyme disease and how to protect both maternal and fetal health.

What is congenital Lyme disease?

Congenital Lyme disease occurs when the bacteria are transmitted from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. This condition arises as a major concern for women who are planning to conceive. The spirochetes were detected in the fetal tissue or placenta. 

Congenital Lyme disease can lead to:

• Abortion
• Premature delivery
• Restriction of intrauterine growth
• Fetal death
• Skin rashes
• Neurological defects

Females of childbearing age who are diagnosed with symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, severe inflammation, depression, etc must also consider Lyme disease as a part of differential diagnosis. Dr Charles Raj Jones, a pediatric Lyme disease expert mentions that 66% of the pregnant women affected with Lyme disease reported difficulty during pregnancy. They were affected with major clinical symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, cognitive issues, etc.

What is the cause of congenital Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is primarily transmitted through a tick bite, which carries the bacteria. During pregnancy, the bacteria can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. The baby will be exposed to the bacteria during pregnancy. The bacteria can affect the tissues and organs of the fetus. Untreated Lyme disease can be a major contributing factor to the development of congenital Lyme disease.

What are the congenital Lyme disease symptoms in pregnant women?

The symptoms of congenital Lyme disease depend on how long the pregnant woman has been infected. Within one month of pregnancy, various clinical symptoms can appear, such as 

• Bull’s eye rashes/erythema migrans
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Headache
• Tingling sensation
• Inflammation of the nervous system

How can pregnant women and fetuses stay protected from Lyme disease?

Pregnant women must take protective measures to stay away from Lyme disease. They must avoid walking in places, where ticks are active. These areas include bush-like or grassy areas. During outdoor activities, protective garments such as long sleeves, socks, and closed shoes need to be worn. Wearing light-colored clothes enables one to detect ticks easily.

Another important preventive measure is the use of insect repellents. Pregnant women should use products that have up to 20 percent DEET with caution when used as prescribed. Women must perform tick checks over the scalp, neck, back of the ears, armpits, and groin region. Taking a shower within two hours of being outside can help get rid of ticks.

If there is a tick attached to the skin, it must be removed as quickly as possible. Ticks can be removed with the help of tweezers. These precautions can reduce the chances of infection and avoid complications that may be experienced by the fetus due to congenital transmission. 

How to treat congenital Lyme disease?

The treatment of congenital Lyme disease focuses on eliminating the bacteria, that is transmitted from mother to fetus. Early diagnosis of the condition can initiate the treatment and lead to better treatment outcomes. Antibiotic therapy is the treatment option for congenital Lyme disease. 

The treatment includes the oral administration of amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil for 2-3 weeks. Antibiotics, such as doxycycline are not administered during pregnancy as it can affect the development of fetus.

Proper follow-up is essential for monitoring the immune function and neurological condition. With proper treatment, there will be a lower risk of adverse outcomes. 

How can congential Lyme disease affect a child’s neurological development?

It has been estimated that 80% of the children had learning disabilities, mood swings, and cognitive issues. Around 72% of children had fatigue and 9% of them suffered from autism.

The impact of congenital Lyme disease on patients depends on several factors, such as:

• Intensity of symptoms
• Immune response
• Gestational age at exposure

According to a study, which was conducted by Leavey et al, babies with Lyme disease suffered from hypotonia, fever, respiratory distress, etc. 

What steps can parents take to advocate for their child’s health?

It is emotionally and physically frustrating for parents to raise a child with congenital Lyme disease. To cope with these feelings, they must seek the support of a counselor, if needed. Techniques, like mindfulness, can help to stay positive. Finding a sense of community is important to manage the frustration. 

Maintaining a close relationship with other families through support groups or other organizations can provide practical guidance and emotional support. With good information and empowerment, caregivers can generally make a difference to their child in his or her well-being and future quality of life. 

Conclusion:

Undetected congenital Lyme disease can be fatal to both maternal and fetal health. Earlier detection of congenital Lyme disease symptoms is essential for timely intervention. The journey can be devastating for parents. With proper awareness and education, parents can better understand their condition and support their child.

References:

1. Waddell LA, Greig J, Lindsay LR, Hinckley AF, Ogden NH. A systematic review on the impact of gestational Lyme disease in humans on the fetus and newborn. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 12;13(11):e0207067. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6231644/
2. Omar A, Grenier LN, Marquez O, Faber S, Darling EK. Perinatal transmission of Lyme disease: A qualitative study investigating the research priorities of patients with Lyme disease in pregnancy. PLoS One. 2024 Feb 6;19(2):e0294265. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9669415/
3. Mothers Against Lyme [Internet]. About Us. Norwalk (CT): Mothers Against Lyme; [cited 2025 Jun 26]. Available from: https://mothersagainstlyme.org/
4. March of Dimes. Lyme disease and pregnancy [Internet]. March of Dimes; [cited 2025 Jun 26]. Available from: https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/lyme-disease-and-pregnancy
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy and Lyme disease [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): CDC; 2020 Jan 27 [cited 2025 Jun 26]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/media/pdfs/Lyme-disease-fact-sheet-for-pregnant-women-English.pdf
6. Williams ME, Schwartz DA, DeBiasi RL, Mulkey SB. Examining infant and child neurodevelopmental outcomes after Lyme disease during pregnancy. Pathogens. 2024 Nov 22;13(12):1029. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11676172/