Recommendation Further comments Implement a central epidemiological unit •To inform about seroprevalence and maternal infections •To inform about prenatal infections in offspring •To inform about treatment and long-term outcomes of prenatal infection •To control compliance with the screening schedule Introduce mandatory reporting of all relevant data to the epidemiological unit   or require informed consent from pregnant women who want to participate in the free prenatal care program to prevent obstacles from personal data protection legislation Implement a single reference laboratory   Nominate screening laboratories •Able to provide appropriate electronic data records •Equipped with appropriate tests •Quality controlled by the national reference laboratory •Equipped with an electronic reminder system •Equipped with facilities to store frozen sera for a minimum of 12 months*) Include birth clinics (test at delivery!) in the screening program   Maintain close contact with prenatal care doctors and their representatives to foster adherence to the national screening scheme   Decide on shortest possible, feasible, and affordable screening intervals   *) also helpful to confirm prenatal infections from other pathogens like rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, or Treponema pallidum.

Table 1: Recommendations for Public Health Decision Makers.