Maternal virus infection after the first trimester of pregnancy and status of offspring to 4 years of age in a predominantly Negro population

Abstract

Antibody titers in paired sera from 4,930 pregnant women were determined for influenza A, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and mumps. All observations on mothers and children were recorded prospectively. Serologic evidence of infection by one of these 4 agents was demonstrated in 114 women. Most seroconversions were demonstrated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy; this was related to the schedule of sample collection from study registrants. Significant differences were not demonstrated between offspring of subject mothers and those of matched control mothers in respect to birth weight, weight, and body measurements at one year, and I.Q. at 4 years of age. Definite neurologic abnormality was not more frequent among subject infants during the nursery stay or at one year of age.