MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of Staph Infection that is extremely dangerous. Although the virus originally could be found in health care facilities, it has now become more community-based and is far easier to contract. Although it targets open wounds and those with weaker immune systems, it can also affect pregnant women. MRSA has been shown to have cases in many pregnant women, and even in newborn babies. Recently, a study was conducted to see if MRSA had any effects on those who are pregnant, and the children they bear.

Samples of vaginal and rectal cultures were collected from a sample of women between 35 - 37 weeks pregnant. 17% of those tested showed to have some form of Staph infection, 2.8% having MRSA. This is a small percentage, but there is still the probability that those infected with MRSA would be spread to their child. MRSA showed to also be capable of spreading during delivery of the baby. The baby’s immune system, at this time, has not fully been developed, making it far more likely for it to contract the virus.

The only way a future mother can help to prevent MRSA and Staph infections is to use an antibiotic muciprocin. The antibiotic is to be used on the skin and within the nose, where MRSA generally is located. If the antibiotic fails to work, there are other antibiotics that can be taken. The only problem is that these antibiotics have side effects that can generally complicate pregnancy, so their use is not recommended.

It was shown that MRSA can, in fact, be passed from the mother to the unborn child, so it is important to take precautionary measures to avoid MRSA, to avoid harm to any unborn children.