 Congenital cytomegalovirus
Definition Alternative Names Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention References DefinitionCongenital cytomegalovirus is a group of symptoms that occur when an infant is infected with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Alternative NamesCMV - congenital; Congenital CMV; Cytomegalovirus - congenital Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCongenital cytomegalovirus occurs when an infected mother passes CMV to the fetus through the placenta. The mother's illness may not have symptoms, so she may be unaware that she has CMV. SymptomsMost congenitally infected children do not have symptoms. Only about 1 out of 10 infants congenitally infected with CMV have these symptoms: Signs and testsDuring the exam, the health care provider may find: Tests include: TreatmentThere is no specific treatment for congenital CMV. Treatments, such as physical therapy and appropriate education for children with psychomotor retardation, focus on specific problems. Experimental treatment with the drug ganciclovir may reduce hearing loss later in the child's life. Expectations (prognosis)Up to 90% of infants who have symptoms of their infection at birth will have neurologic abnormalities later in life. Only about 5 - 10% of infants without symptoms will have these problems. ComplicationsCalling your health care providerHave your baby checked right away if he or she was not examined by a health care provider shortly after birth and you suspect that the head is small or you notice other symptoms of congenital CMV. If your baby has congenital CMV, it is important to follow the health care provider's recommendations for well-baby examinations. That way, any growth and development problems can be identified early, and treated promptly. PreventionCytomegalovirus is almost everywhere in the environment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following steps to reduce the spread of CMV: - Wash hands with soap and water after touching diapers or saliva.
- Avoid kissing children under the age of 6 on the mouth or cheek.
- Do not share food, drinks, or eating utensils with young children.
- Pregnant women working in a day care center should work with children older than age 2 1/2.
ReferencesCrumpacker CS, Wadhwa S. Cytomegalovirus. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005:chap 134. Physician ReferenceInternational Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD9)771.1
Review Date: 5/12/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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