Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Vertical transmission
Introduction
Vertical transmission, also known as Mother-to-child transmission refers to transmission of an infection, such as HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, from mother to child during the perinatal period, the period immediately before and after birth.
Vertical transmission tends to evolve benign symbiosis. It is therefore a critical concept for evolutionary medicine.