transmission from a mother to a fetus or newborn Vertical transmission may occur in utero (in the womb), intrapartum (during birth) or postpartum (via breast-feeding) Contrast with horizontal transmission (perinatal transmission, mat)
There is a direct transfer of the pathogen or parasite from a parent organism to his or her progeny
The transmission of genetic material from parent cells or organisms to their offspring, utilizing natural hereditary mechanisms such as mitosis, meiosis and fertilization, as contrasted with induction and infection between organisms or cells of the same generation