A pregnant patient at 38 weeks with a chlamydial infection inquires about the risk to her baby. What should the nurse inform her?

The statement about the risk of transplacental transmission of chlamydia being low is accurate. During pregnancy, the primary concern with chlamydial infections is not typically transplacental transmission but rather the potential for complications at the time of delivery. Chlamydia often leads to neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonia if the baby is exposed during a vaginal delivery, but the direct infection of the fetus through the placenta is quite rare. This is why it is crucial for pregnant women to be screened and treated for chlamydia as part of routine prenatal care, especially as delivery approaches. Understanding the distinction between transplacental transmission and the risk of exposure during delivery helps in evaluating the potential impacts on the newborn and emphasizes the importance of early identification and treatment of the infection during pregnancy.