Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the main infectious virus that leads to neurological disabilities in children such as congenital sensorineural deafness. Transmission of the virus can happen through direct contact with abody fluids, saliva, urine, and blood products. Congenital infections are the result of transplacental transmission of CMV. In utero, transmission occurs in about one third of women who develop primary infection in the first trimester. The first step for the diagnosis of infection is the laboratory confirmation, where conversion of CMV IgG antibody from negative to positive is the first thing that raises the suspicion of infection. If both IgG and IgM antibody to CMV are positive when first tested, the next step is testing for avidity of CMV IgG antibody. Low IgG antibody avidity and presence of IgM antibody is strong evidence of recent primary infection. At present, there is no vaccine available against CMV and treatment options for pregnant women are still developing. It has been shown that in attempt to reduce the rate of primary maternal CMV infections, public health strategies based on sanitary measures can have a real impact.

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