Should obstetricians working in non-endemic countries care about emerging tropical diseases? A review

Due to migration and travels, obstetricians are increasingly faced with a globalized setting and should adapt their daily clinical approach to the modifications of tropical infections epidemiology. This paper is focused on five emerging infectious diseases, namely Chagas disease, HTLV-1 infection, malaria, schistosomiasis and Zika virus infection, having a high prevalence in migrant populations and which can affect international travelers. These diseases frequently pass unrecognized since they are characterized by few symptoms during pregnancy, however they may cause a relevant maternal, fetal and neonatal impact. Specific diagnostic and treatment options are available but are rarely used during routine obstetrical practice.