What potential health risk is associated with untreated toxoplasmosis in a pregnant woman?

Untreated toxoplasmosis during pregnancy poses a significant risk of fetal infection. This parasitic infection can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus, particularly during the first trimester when the risk of transmission is highest. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite can cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus. The consequences of fetal infection can be severe, leading to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or the development of serious health issues in the baby, including neurological damage and vision problems.

The other health risks mentioned—diabetes, severe anemia, and postpartum depression—are not directly linked to untreated toxoplasmosis. While they may affect women during pregnancy or postpartum, they do not result from the specific transmission of the toxoplasmosis parasite to the fetus, which is a critical concern in this scenario.