[citation needed] A further expansion of this acronym, CHEAPTORCHES, was proposed by Ford-Jones and Kellner in 1995:[17] The signs and symptoms of a vertically transmitted infection depend on the individual pathogen.

Hearing impairment, eye problems, mental retardation, autism, and death can be caused by vertically transmitted infections.

[citation needed] The genetic conditions of Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome are possibly present in a similar manner.

[19][20] The main routes of transmission of vertically transmitted infections are across the placenta (transplacental) and across the female reproductive tract during childbirth.

The distinction is important because when transmission is primarily during or after birth, medical intervention can help prevent infections in the infant.

[citation needed] In the spectrum of optimal virulence, vertical transmission tends to evolve benign symbiosis, so is a critical concept for evolutionary medicine.

[citation needed] In dual inheritance theory, vertical transmission refers to the passing of cultural traits from parents to children.

Some vertically transmitted infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy.

Many viral vertically transmitted infections have no effective treatment, but some, notably rubella and varicella-zoster, can be prevented by vaccinating the mother prior to pregnancy.

[citation needed] Pregnant women living in malaria-endemic areas are candidates for malaria prophylaxis.

[26] If the mother has active herpes simplex (as may be suggested by a pap test), delivery by Caesarean section can prevent the newborn from contact, and consequent infection, with this virus.

[citation needed] IgG2 antibody may play a crucial role in prevention of intrauterine infections and extensive research is going on for developing IgG2-based therapies for treatment and vaccination.