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).