Retinal findings similar to retinopathy of prematurity in a term-infant with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Purpose: To present a term-born infant with congenital cytomegalovirus (C-CMV) infection with an atypical retinal finding mimicking retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Case description: A term-born infant was referred to our clinic due to a C-CMV infection. Fundoscopic examination of both eyes revealed a demarcation line at zone II level and peripheral avascular retina along the temporal retina. There was no chorioretinitis, no vitritis, and no retinal vasculitis. There was no history of oxygen supplementation. The demarcation lines in both eyes regressed spontaneously within 3 weeks without any sequelae.

Conclusions: It has been known for many years that C-CMV infection may affect the eye, and chorioretinitis is the most common finding. In this case report, we presented an atypical ROP-like retinal finding in an infant with C-CMV infection. We think that the development of retinal vascularization may be affected by C-CMV infection. We hope that this finding may provide a clue for future investigations to understand the relationship between the pathogenesis of ROP and infection-induced inflammatory processes in prenatal and perinatal life.

Keywords: CMV; Congenital infections; cytomegalovirus; retinopathy of prematurity.