Effects of Perinatally Acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection on Growth Hormone Axis

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common causes of perinatally acquired infection worldwide. It affects almost every organ system with varied type of clinical manifestation. In this case series, effect of perinatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection was studied on relatively unexplored area i.e, on growth hormone axis. Effect of standard antiviral treatment was also studied in these children. Five children were diagnosed to have perinatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection and it was found that all of these children were suffering from growth hormone deficiency (as evidenced by low insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 level as well). Some of the children were also found to have other endocrine manifestations like hypothyroidism and hypoglycaemia. They were treated with intravenous Ganciclovir followed by oral Valganciclovir and most of them responded well.