Which population is specifically noted as high risk due to maternal transmission?

Infants of infected mothers are specifically noted as high risk due to maternal transmission because they may be exposed to various infections during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding. Conditions such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis can be transmitted from mother to child, leading to serious health complications for the infant. Maternal immunity may also play a role; for example, if a mother is infected with a communicable disease, the infant may not have had the chance to develop their own immunity, leaving them particularly vulnerable.

In contrast, teenagers, elderly individuals, and healthcare workers do not typically have a direct maternal transmission risk associated with infections, as they are not usually the direct recipients of maternal antibodies or pathogens through birth or breastfeeding. Thus, the focus on infants helps underscore the importance of maternal health and the need for preventive measures to protect this vulnerable population.