[Epidemiological surveillance of vertically-transmitted Chagas disease at three maternity hospitals in the Valencian Community].

Introduction And Aim: Immigration to Spain of Latin Americans with Chagas disease in its indeterminate phase could result in vertical transmission of the disease or transmission by transfusion or organ transplantation. To ascertain the magnitude of this problem, we investigated the prevalence of bearers among women who gave birth in 3 state maternity hospitals in the Valencian Community and the incidence of vertical transmission.

Patients And Methods: An immunoprecipitation test to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies was carried out on 624 pregnant Latin American women.