Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Primary or Reactivated

Potential Effect on Fetus

• Congenital Syndrome especially:
  • hearing loss
  • hepatosplenomegaly
  • jaundice
  • microcephaly
  • developmental delay
  • visual impairment

Rate of Perinatal Transmission

Maternal infection:

• primary – 30-70% (primary infection associated with more severe fetal infection)
• reactivated – 30-40%
• 0.2-2.4% of all live births are affected by intra-uterine CMV infections.

Maternal Screening

- Routine screening not currently recommended.

Prevention

- Handwashing (especially when changing diapers).