Which of the following is a common symptom of congenital toxoplasmosis in the newborn?

Study for the ABOG Oral Boards Obstetrics Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Congenital toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. One of the hallmark symptoms in newborns affected by this condition is microcephaly, which is characterized by an abnormally small head size.

Microcephaly occurs because the infection can disrupt normal brain development, leading to a reduced head circumference and can be associated with neurological impairments. Other symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis may include chorioretinitis, intracranial calcifications, and other developmental issues, but microcephaly is one of the most recognizable features upon clinical examination.

While fatigue, palpitations, and dehydration can be symptoms of various conditions affecting newborns, they are not specific indicators of congenital toxoplasmosis. Fatigue might relate to other illnesses or conditions, palpitations are typically associated with cardiovascular issues not specifically linked to infections like toxoplasmosis, and dehydration is a common concern in many different scenarios but lacks the direct correlation to congenital toxoplasmosis.

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