Cytomegalovirus infections during pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review current prenatal diagnosis and management of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections with emphasis on maternal screening and available interventions.

Recent findings: Recent findings include an enhanced understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of CMV infections; a knowledge of high-risk women particularly those with chronic exposure to a young child in the home; the availability of accurate methods for the serologic diagnosis of a primary CMV infection using either single or serial blood samples; accurate methods for the diagnosis of fetal infection via amniotic fluid; sensitive fetal and placental indicators for neonatal outcomes, and the availability of potentially effective interventions such as hygienic intervention and CMV hyperimmune globulin.

Summary: These findings suggest that serologic testing for CMV during pregnancy may be appropriate either using one-time testing or serial serologic testing throughout the first two trimesters of pregnancy and that education of pregnant women about CMV is necessary so that they can asses their risk and make informed choices about serologic screening.