Cytomegalovirus during Pregnancy

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KEY POINTS

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that a woman can pass to her baby, either during pregnancy or at birth. If you have this infection during pregnancy, there is a chance that it will harm your baby.
• Healthy pregnant women do not need to be treated. A baby infected with CMV may be treated with antiviral medicine or other medicines given by IV.
• There is no vaccine to protect against CMV. Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after changing a child's diapers, feeding, wiping his or her nose or mouth, and touching toys or other objects.

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What is cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus. It is the most common viral infection that a woman can pass to her baby, either during pregnancy or at birth. If you have this infection during pregnancy, there is a chance that it will harm your baby.

Many children born with CMV infection do not have serious health problems. However, some children may have short-term effects or lifelong effects, such as hearing loss or problems with learning, growth, and behavior.

What is the cause?

The virus that causes CMV spreads from person to person through contact with infected saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, and mucus. Babies and young children are more likely to have the virus in their saliva and urine. It can also be spread when you have sex.

If you are infected with the virus for the first time during pregnancy, your baby may become infected. If you were infected with the virus before you were pregnant, your baby is less likely to become infected or to have any serious CMV-related problems.

What are the symptoms?

CMV usually does not cause any symptoms in healthy adults. If you do have symptoms, they may include fever, muscle aches, swollen glands, and tiredness. You may feel the effects of the illness for about 2 or 3 weeks, depending on your general health.

Most infected babies do not show any symptoms at birth, but many develop problems later. For example, your baby may have jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Lifelong symptoms or problems may include:

• Small size
• Small brain
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Hearing loss or eye problems
• Calcium deposits in the brain or extra fluid that puts pressure on the brain

How is it diagnosed?

A routine ultrasound may show something abnormal in the baby. Tests for infection may include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Tests of cells from your cervix, which is the opening to the uterus inside the vagina
• Amniocentesis, which is a test of the fluid around the baby
• Tests of samples of the baby's urine, saliva, or other tissue after birth

How is it treated?

Healthy pregnant women do not need to be treated. A baby infected with CMV may be treated with antiviral medicine or other medicines given by IV.

What can I do to help prevent infection with CMV?

There is no vaccine to protect against CMV. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the best way to protect your baby from the infection is to protect yourself. Here are some things you can do:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after changing a child's diapers, feeding, wiping his or her nose or mouth, and touching toys or other objects.
• Don't share food, drinks, eating utensils, or a toothbrush with a child.
• Do not put a child's pacifier in your mouth.
• Use soap and water or a disinfectant to clean toys, countertops, and other surfaces that may have a child's saliva or urine on them.
• Avoid contact with a child's saliva when kissing or snuggling.
• Use latex or polyurethane condoms during foreplay and every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Have just 1 sexual partner who is not having sex with anyone else.