Congenital cytomegalovirus infection

• Main Authors: Katarina Rednak-Paradiž, Martina Mlaker, Darja Paro-Panjan, Rasta Radešček-Rakar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2006-11-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Subjects: cytomegalovirus (CMV); congenital infection; diagnosis; treatment; prevention
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/2043

<p><strong>Background:</strong> CMV is the most common agent that causes congenital virus infection. Only 10 % of infected children have symptomatic infection immediately after birth. Signs of central nervous system damage, neurosensory deafness and delayed psychomotor development may manifest as a result of asimptomatic congenital infection later in childhood. In the article we present basic properties of CMV; we describe clinical picture of the congenital infection and possibilities of diagnose and its treatment. We present five children with symptomatic congenital CMV infection that were hospitalized for the period 1992–2002 at the Neonatal department in the University Children’s Hospital in Ljubljana.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Identification of infected neonates, especially those with asimptomatic congenital CMV infection, is difficult. Latest incidence of infection in Slovenia is unknown. With new investigations the efficiency of antiviral therapy was discovered but exact indications for therapy are not yet known. CMV vaccine, once available, may ultimately be the best control strategy for this important public health problem. Proper educating women in childbearing age about the risks of CMV and how to avoid disease transmission during pregnancy (hand washing, avoiding mouth-to-mouth contact with preschool children, usage of gloves especially when handling dipers or respiratory secretions) are the only control strategies available.</p>