Lyme Disease and Pregnancy: Risks, Symptoms, and What to Do
Symptoms can be subtle or missed.
And the risks are still being studied.
Lyme disease pregnancy is an area of ongoing research, with important questions about risks to both mother and child.
In one large international survey, participants with diagnosed or probable Lyme disease were compared to individuals without Lyme disease. The findings highlight how often classic signs are absent—and how complex interpretation can be.
Key finding: many individuals did not recall a tick bite or rash.
Only 45% of diagnosed cases and 61% of suspected cases recalled a tick bite, and fewer than 40% reported an erythema migrans (EM) rash.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease During Pregnancy
Participants more likely to have Lyme disease during pregnancy reported higher rates of:
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pain
- Fever of unknown origin
- Postpartum depression
Clinical note: these symptoms overlap with common pregnancy-related conditions, which can delay recognition.
What If You Get a Tick Bite While Pregnant?
A tick bite during pregnancy can be concerning, but early steps can reduce risk.
- Remove the tick promptly
- Watch for rash or flu-like symptoms
- Seek medical guidance early
Clinical insight: early evaluation and treatment may help reduce complications.
Can a Baby Be Born With Lyme Disease?
One of the most common questions is whether Lyme disease can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy.
Short answer: this remains an area of ongoing study.
Some reports describe symptoms in children born to mothers with Lyme disease, including musculoskeletal, neurologic, and developmental concerns.
However, it is often difficult to determine whether these findings are related to Lyme disease, genetic factors, or exposures after birth.
Clinical takeaway: possible associations have been reported, but causation has not been clearly established.
Pregnancy Outcomes
In this study, children born to mothers with possible Lyme disease did not show significant differences in:
- Gestational age at delivery
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Congenital anomalies
- Hyperbilirubinemia rates
Key point: major obstetric outcomes were not significantly different between groups.
Reported Health Issues in Children
Children born to mothers more likely to have Lyme disease were reported to have a wide range of health concerns, including:
- Musculoskeletal and joint symptoms
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Cardiovascular and respiratory concerns
- Sleep disturbances
- Rashes and fevers
- Concentration, sensory, and vision issues
Important limitation: the study could not determine whether these findings were directly caused by Lyme disease.
Study Limitations
Several factors limit interpretation of these findings:
- Participants were recruited through Lyme-focused organizations
- Data relied on recall, sometimes decades after pregnancy
- The study design cannot establish cause and effect
Clinical takeaway: further research is needed to clarify risks.
What This Study Suggests
Despite its limitations, the study provides several important observations:
- Lyme disease during pregnancy may be underrecognized
- Classic signs (tick bite, rash) are often absent
- Treatment before or during pregnancy may reduce—but not eliminate—risk
Treatment may reduce risk—but does not eliminate uncertainty.
Lyme disease during pregnancy is complex. While major pregnancy outcomes may not differ, symptoms in mothers and children highlight the need for careful evaluation and further study.
Final Thought
Lyme disease in pregnancy is not fully understood.
Recognizing symptoms early and seeking evaluation may help guide safer decision-making.
Key question: Could symptoms during pregnancy reflect an underlying infection that has not yet been recognized?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lyme disease be passed from mother to child?
There are reports suggesting possible associations, but more research is needed to determine causation.
What should I do after a tick bite during pregnancy?
Remove the tick promptly and seek medical advice if symptoms develop.
Does Lyme disease affect pregnancy outcomes?
Some studies show no major differences, but symptoms in mothers and children have been reported.
Related Articles
- Case series: No complications with Lyme disease and pregnancy
- Can Lyme disease impact pregnancy outcomes?
- Mother describes challenges in treating newborn Lyme disease
Reference
- Leavey K, et al. Lyme borreliosis in pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Front Med. 2022.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
My son was born 24 years ago w/Lyme disease, he was diagnosed at 4 weeks old! Unbeknown to me I was positive for Lyme. I was bitten by a tick, probably 2 months before conception with my 1st pregnancy, that ended in a miscarriage. When the tick was removed I tested flase positive. There was never a rash, but I do remember the soreness on the bottom of my feet and joint pain. After 2 more unsuccessful pregnancies that all end in miscarriages. I became pregnant once again, this time was different there was 24 hours of morning sickness, very dizzy, carpal tunnel, headaches & gestational diabetes. Baby was full term and things appeared perfect. Until shortly after we came home my health went into a downward spiral. I had gotten to the point my husband had to care for our son. Desperately trying to figure out what was going on I went to Dr.after Dr. I was told I had postpartum went to a physiologist he said no. My PPC told my I was just ” not use to carrying extra weight & go on a diet!” It was at the baby’s 1 month check up his pediatrician Dr. Charles Jones noticed the changes in my health. He asked if I was ever bitten by a tick. This man saved my life!! He tested my son and sent me to the proper doctor.