Cytomegalovirus infection and congenital heart disease in children

Abstract

Congenital heart defects account for about 30% of all anomaly of development in children. Cytomegalovirus infection suffered by a woman during pregnancy claims one of the leading places among teratogenic factors.Aim: to study clinical and pathogenetic features of congenital heart diseases in children with active cytomegalovirus infection.Materials and methods: the survey included 240 children with congenital heart defects under 1 years old. The diagnosis was verified by enzyme immunoassay with detection of immunoglobulins of classes M and G to cytomegalovirus and by polymerase chain reaction, the material for which was blood and urine.Results. For congenital heart defects with the active forms of cytomegalovirus infection is characterized by a higher frequency of combined defects and the development of critical states. Children with cytomegalovirus infection in 40% suffered intrauterine myocarditis of cytomegalovirus etiology, which weighed the course of the underlying disease. The features characteristic of IUI was determined much more often (in the analysis of the noncardiac symptoms). Specific therapy of active forms of cytomegalovirus infection in children before surgery for correction of congenital heart defects has reduced the likelihood of postoperative complications.Summary. Cytomegalovirus infection has a direct teratogenic effect and can provoke the development of congenital heart defects. In addition, the virus has a cardiotropic and immune-mediated effect on the myocardium. This leads to the development of intrauterine myocarditis, which aggravates the course of the disease. The specific treatment of active forms of cytomegalovirus infection in children before surgery for the correction of congenital heart defects, reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications.