Congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection
Micrograph of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the placenta (CMV placentitis). The characteristic large nucleus of a CMV infected cell is seen off-centre at the bottom-right of the image. H&E stain
SpecialtyPediatrics Edit this on Wikidata

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a newborn baby.[1] Most have no symptoms.[1] Some affected babies are small.[1] Other signs and symptoms include a rash, jaundice, hepatomegaly, retinitis, and seizures.[1][2] It may lead to loss of hearing or vision, developmental disability, or a small head.[1]

CMV is a member of the virus family herpesviridae and is the most common congenital intrauterine infection.[3] cCMV is caused when a mother is infected with CMV in pregnancy and passes it to her unborn baby.[1] The risk of severe disease is greatest if the mother is infected in early pregnancy; most have no symptoms.[2] Diagnosis is by tests in the first 3-weeks after birth; on preferably urine, although saliva and blood can be used.[1][2] The chance of infection is reduced by hand washing, and avoiding touching saliva or urine of very young children.[1]

Worldwide the condition is common, and likely underreported.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Prevent the spread of CMV". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Domachowske, Joseph; Suryadevara, Manika (2020). "26. Congenital and perinatal infections". Clinical Infectious Diseases Study Guide: A Problem-Based Approach. Switzerland: Springer. pp. 164–165. ISBN 978-3-030-50872-2.
  3. ^ Dobbie, Allison M. (2017). "Evaluation and management of cytomegalovirus-associated congenital hearing loss". Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 25 (5): 390–395. doi:10.1097/moo.0000000000000401. ISSN 1068-9508. PMID 28857892.
  4. ^ Ssentongo, P; Hehnly, C; Birungi, P; Roach, MA; Spady, J; Fronterre, C; Wang, M; Murray-Kolb, LE; Al-Shaar, L; Chinchilli, VM; Broach, JR; Ericson, JE; Schiff, SJ (2 August 2021). "Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Burden and Epidemiologic Risk Factors in Countries With Universal Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JAMA Network Open. 4 (8): e2120736. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.20736. PMC 8383138. PMID 34424308.