Which of the following infections is known to cause hydrocephalus in newborns?

Hydrocephalus in newborns can be caused by various congenital infections, one of which is toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Infection in the fetus can lead to a range of neurological issues, including hydrocephalus.

While other infections on the list, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and Zika virus, can also have serious effects on fetal development, toxoplasmosis specifically has a strong association with hydrocephalus due to the resultant inflammation and brain damage that can occur from the parasitic infection.

In contrast, rubella may lead to congenital heart defects and hearing loss, cytomegalovirus is known for its potential to cause microcephaly and other neurological deficits but not specifically hydrocephalus, and Zika virus has been notably associated with severe microcephaly but not hydrocephalus. Thus, toxoplasmosis stands out as the infection strongly linked to the development of hydrocephalus in affected newborns.