Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
CMV - congenital; Congenital CMVDefinition Return to top
Congenital cytomegalovirus is a cluster of findings associated with infection of the fetus by cytomegalovirus.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Congenital cytomegalovirus is caused when an infected mother passes CMV virus to the fetus through the placenta. The mother's illness may be subclinical (without symptoms or asymptomatic), and she may be unaware that any problems exist.
The majority of congenitally infected children are asymptomatic. The symptomatic infant is characteristically born with a petechial rash (a rash that looks like fine purplish-colored dots), a large spleen and liver, jaundice, inflammation of the retina, intracranial calcifications (mineral deposits within the brain), and a small head (microcephaly).
Only about 1 out of 10 infants congenitally infected with CMV are thought to exhibit these symptoms.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
In examining the body, the health care provider, may also find:
Tests include:
Treatment Return to top
There is no specific treatment for congenital CMV. Treatment focuses on specific problems such as physical therapy and appropriate schooling of children with psychomotor retardation. Experimental treatment with the drug ganciclovir may reduce hearing loss that infected infants suffer later in life.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Between 45-90% of infants who have symptoms of their infection at birth will have neurologic abnormalities later in life, while only about 15% of infants without symptoms will have these problems.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Have the baby examined promptly if your baby was not examined by a health care provider shortly after birth and you suspect that the head is small or if other symptoms of congenital CMV are present.
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 appropriate therapy can begin promptly.
Prevention Return to top
Cytomegalovirus is almost everywhere in the environment, and is almost impossible to avoid.
Update Date: 1/20/2004 Updated by: John Goldenring, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |