Évaluation de l'impact d'un suivi trimestriel dans le dépistage anténatal de la toxoplasmose congénitale en France

A program of monthly systematic serology screening for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has running in France since 1978. The increase in screening costs, due to the decrease of seroprevalence, and the questioning about the effectiveness of the anti-parasitic treatments, lead to discuss the French screening interest. The aim of this work was to evaluate a quarterly prenatal screening for congenital toxoplasmosis, on studied population, in order to identify the strengths and limitation, i.e., to measure the impact in terms of delayed diagnosis and risk. In total the study includes 225 cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. The proposed quarterly system would make a 46% economy on current screening costs, but would not detect maternal infections occurring after 32 weeks of gestation-which occur in 35,3% of cases. A quarterly prenatal screening for congenital toxoplasmosis could provide a solution to the current financial burden, while still detecting the most severe cases. A scientifically proven study will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Then, it would be possible to assess the value of current screening program in France.