What Is SET-NET?

Key points

  • SET-NET is CDC's Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network.
  • This surveillance approach detects the effects of emerging and reemerging health threats on pregnant women and their babies.
  • It collects data from pregnancy through childhood and uses actionable information to help improve the lives of mothers and babies.
Baby peeking over the shoulder of its parent

What it is

SET-NET is a surveillance approach to identify the impact of emerging and reemerging health threats on pregnant women and their infants. It originated from work initiated during the 2015-2016 Zika virus outbreak that helped us understand the effects of Zika infection during pregnancy. Since then, SET-NET has provided vital information about COVID-19, hepatitis C, mpox, and syphilis during pregnancy.

SET-NET serves as a preparedness network that can be expanded if new threats emerge. CDC works with state, local, and territorial health departments to collect data for SET-NET.

Why it's important

This unique surveillance approach can link health threats during pregnancy to health outcomes of pregnant women and infants. This innovative approach enables CDC and state, local, and territorial health departments to monitor exposures of concern during pregnancy and to collect follow-up data on affected infants over time.

Readiness and Response

SET-NET data provided valuable information during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the risk of infection during pregnancy. This information was necessary for the development of public health guidance to prioritize pregnant women to receive COVID-19 vaccines, which also helps to protect the infant.

Read more about the value of SET-NET during the COVID-19 pandemic and its utility for future emergencies.

Goals

SET-NET aims to determine how health threats affect pregnant women and their infants. It also aims to track birth defects, developmental delays, and other complications as these children age, for up to 3 years. CDC scientists and health departments use these data to:

  • Monitor and improve the health of pregnant women and infants
  • Link families to medical and social services to get recommended care
  • Strengthen laboratory and clinical testing to find emerging health threats quickly
  • Ensure public health is ready and prepared to meet the needs of pregnant women and infants during emergencies
Doctor performing an ultrasound on a pregnant patient
SET-NET findings inform clinical guidance to help care for pregnant patients and infants.

Exposures of interest

SET-NET currently collects information on the following infectious disease threats during pregnancy:

  • Hepatitis C
  • Syphilis
  • Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Dengue

Historically, SET-NET collected information on COVID-19, Zika, and mpox.

How it's funded

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Content Source:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities