What is a likely consequence of severe neurological damage from toxoplasmosis in a fetus?

Severe neurological damage from toxoplasmosis in a fetus primarily affects brain development and function, leading to cognitive impairments. When a fetus experiences significant neurological injury due to an infection like toxoplasmosis, it can disrupt the normal maturation of neural pathways and structures, contributing to a range of developmental disabilities. This can manifest as intellectual disabilities, which can impact learning, memory, problem-solving skills, and overall cognitive functioning throughout the child's life. The specific effects can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage and the areas of the brain that are affected, but the association between severe neurological damage and intellectual disabilities is well-documented in medical literature focused on prenatal infections.

Other outcomes of prenatal infections, such as fetal growth restriction or problems in the nervous system, are less directly related to the primary impact of neurological damage seen with toxoplasmosis. Chronic pain is also not a direct consequence of neurological damage from this particular infection in utero.