Congenital Anomalies In Infants Research Articles

Genetic and Congenital Anomalies in Infants With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

BackgroundInfants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may have underlying conditions predisposing them to hypoxic-ischemic injury during labor and delivery. It is unclear how genetic and congenital anomalies impact outcomes of HIE. MethodsInfants with HIE enrolled in a phase III trial underwent genetic testing when clinically indicated. Infants with known genetic or congenital anomalies were excluded. The primary outcome, i.e., death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), was determined at age two years by a standardized neurological examination, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), and the Gross Motor Function Classification Scales. Secondary outcomes included cerebral palsy and BSID-III motor, cognitive, and language scores at age two years. ResultsOf 500 infants with HIE, 24 (5%, 95% confidence interval 3% to 7%) were diagnosed with a genetic (n = 15) or congenital (n = 14) anomaly. Infants with and without genetic or congenital anomalies had similar rates of severe encephalopathy and findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging. However, infants with genetic or congenital anomalies were more likely to have death or NDI (75% vs 50%, P = 0.02). Among survivors, those with a genetic or congenital anomaly were more likely to be diagnosed with cerebral palsy (32% vs 13%, P = 0.02), and had lower BSID-III scores in all three domains than HIE survivors without such anomalies. ConclusionsAmong infants with HIE, 5% were diagnosed with a genetic or congenital anomaly. Despite similar clinical markers of HIE severity, infants with HIE and a genetic or congenital anomaly had worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than infants with HIE alone.

In-utero vascular accidents in neonates from COVID-19 infected mothers.

Infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy has been associated with a hypercoagulable state. It is unknown if maternal COVID-19 infection results in congenital anomalies secondary to intrauterine vascular accidents. This study sought to determine if the rate of in-utero vascular complications (intestinal atresia and limb abnormalities) that may be attributable to the hypercoagulable states associated with COVID-19 and pregnancy increased after the onset of the pandemic. Pregnancy, neonatal, and congenital defect data from a single academic medical center and the partner's children's hospital were collected and compared to the period prior to onset of the pandemic. A subanalysis including pregnant woman 18 years or greater with documented COVID-19 infection during gestation between March 2020-2021 was performed. Rates of intestinal atresia did not differ prior to or after the onset of the pandemic (3.78% vs 7.23%, p = 0.21) nor did rates of limb deficiency disorders (4.41% vs 9.65%, p = 0.09). On subanalysis, there were 194 women with COVID-19 infection included in analysis: 135 (69.6%) were positive during delivery admission and 59 (30.4%) were positive earlier in their pregnancy. There was one infant born with intestinal atresia. We report a low incidence of congenital anomalies in infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection. It remains unclear if the impact of COVID-19 on the coagulative state augments the normal pro-thrombotic state of pregnancy; ongoing surveillance is warranted.

Significance Of Nutrition In Preventing Miscarriage, An Ignored But Modifiable Risk Factor.

Madam, Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is defined as the pregnancy loss occurring before the 24th week of gestation. This term is used when an ultrasound has confirmed an intrauterine pregnancy1. It is the commonest adverse fate of pregnancy, with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain as alarming symptoms. It is found that around 12-15% of confirmed pregnancies end up in a miscarriage. Although genetic factors (chromosomal abnormalities) top the list, maternal factors, especially nutritional status, can affect the developing embryo and result in early pregnancy foetal demise2. During pregnancy, maternal requirements for energy, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and micronutrients increase to cope with the physiological changes occurring in the mother’s body and to support adequate foetal development. Two Case control studies have been conducted and have found a preventive effect of milk consumption and dairy products on spontaneous abortion3. There is also an association between decreased animal fat and carotene intake and increased risk of hydatidiform mole, which can ultimately lead to a miscarriage2. Studies proved that not only macronutrients but deficiency of micronutrients also contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes. Some essential micronutrients include iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin b12 and folic acid., Due to its antioxidant effects, Vitamin C is also required during this stage and contributes to a healthy pregnancy1. Besides deficiencies, even excess of some micronutrients, like caffeine, especially during the pre-pregnancy state contributed to the risk of early pregnancy loss4. Studies have been done to determine the mechanism behind the nutrition’s effect on the outcome of pregnancy. In the pre pregnancy state, nutritional imbalances result in the alteration of germ cell morphology, which hinders the chances of fertilisation of the altered germ cell. In addition to this, nutritional status during the peri-implantation and placental developmental stage (embryonic stage) play a vital role in the establishment of pregnancy and fetal development so any deficiency during this stage increases the risk of miscarriage. Folic acid deficiency during this stage is harmful. Although it mainly results in the development of congenital anomalies in infants, it is seen that by increasing homocysteine levels it can also lead to miscarriage, although the association is still unknown1. Not only undernutrition but overweight and obesity in mothers also lead to poor pregnancy outcomes. ---Continue

Congenital Anomalies in Infants in Fukushima from 2011 to 2014: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

This study aimed to assess congenital anomalies among infants from 2011 to 2014 in Fukushima and compare the assessment with that from other geographical regions in Japan. We used the dataset of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), which is a nationwide prospective birth cohort study. For the JECS, participants were recruited through 15 regional centers (RC), including Fukushima. Pregnant women were recruited between January 2011 and March 2014. The Fukushima RC recruited all municipalities in the Fukushima Prefecture, from where we compared congenital anomalies in infants from the Fukushima RC to those in the infants from 14 other RCs. Crude and multivariate logistic regression analyses were also performed, with the multivariate logistic regression analysis being adjusted for maternal age, maternal body mass index (kg/m2), infertility treatment, multiple pregnancies, maternal smoking, maternal alcohol consumption, pregnancy complications, maternal infection, and infant sex. In the Fukushima RC, 12,958 infants were analyzed, and 324 infants were diagnosed with major anomalies (2.50%). In the remaining 14 RCs, 88,771 infants were analyzed and 2,671 infants were diagnosed with major anomalies (3.01%). Crude logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the odds ratio for the Fukushima RC was 0.827 (95% confidence interval, 0.736-0.929) using the other 14 RCs as a reference. Multivariate logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that the adjusted odds ratio was 0.852 (95% confidence interval, 0.757-0.958). Fukushima Prefecture was found not to be an area at high risk for the occurrence of congenital anomalies in infants compared nationwide in Japan from 2011 to 2014.

Investigating Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy and Risk of Congenital Anomalies.

This observational retrospective matched cohort study evaluated the safety of a prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, Boostrix. We previously reported on the risk of maternal and neonatal outcomes; here we report on the risk of congenital anomalies in infants at birth through 6months of age. The study included pregnant Kaiser Permanente Southern California members. Women who received the Tdap vaccine on or after the 27th week of pregnancy between January 2018 and January 2019 were matched to women who were pregnant between January 2012 and December 2014 and were not vaccinated with Tdap during pregnancy. Unadjusted and adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated by Poisson regression. Quantitative secular trend analyses, from 2011 to 2017, were conducted on congenital anomalies with a statistically significant aRR > 1. The analysis consisted of 16,350 and 16,088 live-born infants in the Tdap-exposed and unexposed cohorts, respectively. Of the 14 congenital anomaly body systems evaluated, 8 (eye, ear/face/neck, respiratory, upper gastrointestinal, genital, renal, musculoskeletal, integument) had statistically significant elevated aRRs, with point estimates ranging from 1.17 to 2.02. The observed elevated aRRs were consistent with their respective secular increases over time. Cautious interpretation of these findings is warranted as these increases may have resulted from improved identification and diagnosis. Furthermore, the biological plausibility of an association between maternal vaccine exposure in the third trimester of pregnancy and birth defects is low. The overall study findings support the safety of maternal immunization with Boostrix during the third trimester of pregnancy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03463577.

Contribution Factors on Congenital Malformations in Neonates in Iran

Background: Congenital malformations are one of the most important and common types of anomalies in infants, and they are considered as the leading causes of disability and mortality in children. These malformations impose enormous costs on families and organizations involved in the treatment, maintenance, and education of patients. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors affecting the incidence of congenital anomalies in infants born in Iran. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, we registered various information of all newborns examined and their mothers, including gender, family relationship of parents, type of delivery, types of congenital malformations, anomalies of the hands and feet, and anomalies of the nervous and reproductive systems in the maternity wards of hospitals in Iran. Data were gathered using a checklist. The relationships between different factors were assessed by chi-square test, and the factors influencing congenital malformations were investigated by logistic regression using SPSS-26 software. The significance level of all tests was 0.05. Results: According to the results, 7.5% of newborns had congenital malformations. Eclampsia and diabetes mellitus increased the risk of congenital malformations by 15 and 11%, respectively. The risk of congenital malformations in rural areas was 12% higher than in urban areas. Factors such as consanguineous marriages, history of abortion, and gender also affected the risk of congenital malformations. Conclusions: Necessary measures and plans in the field of premarital counseling, regular pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy tests and controls, especially in rural and deprived areas, are essential and effective in reducing the incidence of congenital malformations.

Surveillance guidelines for children with trisomy 18

Trisomy 18 is the second most common aneuploidy syndromes in live born infants. It is associated with high mortality rates, estimated to be 75%-95% in the first year of life, as well as significant morbidity in survivors. The low survival is largely due to the high prevalence of severe congenital anomalies in infants with this diagnosis. However, interventions to repair or palliate those life-threatening anomalies are being performed at a higher rate for these infants, resulting in increased rates of survival beyond the first year of life. While it is well documented that trisomy 18 is associated with several cardiac malformations, these patients also have respiratory, neurological, neoplastic, genitourinary, abdominal, otolaryngologic, and orthopedic complications that can impact their quality of life. The goal of this review is to present a comprehensive description of complications in children with trisomy 18 to aid in the development of monitoring and treatment guidelines for the increasing number of providers who will be caring for these patients throughout their lives. Where the evidence is available, this review presents screening recommendations to allow for more rapid detection and documentation of these complications.

Congenital Anomalies in Infants in Fukushima From 2011 to 2014: The Japan Environment and Children's Study

Congenital Anomalies in Infants in Fukushima From 2011 to 2014: The Japan Environment and Children's Study

Incisional hernia after surgical correction of abdominal congenital anomalies in infants: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Incisional hernia (IH) in children could result in life-threatening complications, including incarceration and bowel strangulation. The incidence and risk factors of IH in infants are scarcely reported. Since IH-correction may require extensive surgery and a long recovery program, identifying infants and birth defects at risk, may lead to a different approach during the primary surgery. Therefore, the aim of this review is to systematically review the available data on the incidence of IH following surgery for congenital anomalies in infants. All studies describing IH were considered eligible. PubMed and Embase were searched and risk of bias was assessed. Primary outcome was the incidence of IH, secondary outcomes were difference in IH occurrence between disease severity (complex vs simple) and closure method (SILO vs primary closure) in gastroschisis patients. A meta-analysis was performed to pool the reported incidences in total and per congenital anomaly separately. Subgroup analysis within gastroschisis articles was performed. The 50 included studies represent 3140 patients. The pooled proportion of IH was 0.03 (95% CI 0.02–0.05; I2 = 79%, p ≤ 0.01) all anomalies combined. Gastroschisis (GS) reported highest pooled proportion 0.10 (95% CI 0.06–0.17; n = 142/1273; I2 = 86%; p ≤ 0.01). SILO closure (OR 3.09) and simple gastroschisis, i.e. without additional anomalies, (OR 0.18) were of significant influence. This review reports the incidence of IH in infants with different congenital abdominal anomalies, of which gastroschisis reported the highest risk. In GS patients, complex GS and SILO closure are risk factors for IH development.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration in infants - a rare diagnosis

Herein is described the case of a two-month-old female infant with recurrent respiratory infections, admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department with productive cough, respiratory distress, and fever. Chest radiography showed an heterogenous hypotransparent image in the left pulmonary field and contralateral deviation of the mediastinum. Angiotomography revealed bilateral bronchopulmonary sequestration and a systemic vessel contributing to area irrigation. The patient was submitted to vessel occlusion and lacquering, left inferior lobectomy, and resection of a right lower lobe segment. Histological examination confirmed intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration and type 2 congenital pulmonary airway malformation in the left lung, and extralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration in the right lung.With this report, the authors intend to emphasize the importance of clinical suspicion of congenital anomalies in infants with recurrent respiratory infections.

Socioeconomic and racial disparities in the risk of congenital anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers: A national population-based study

We used a national population-based database to study socioeconomic and racial disparities associated with congenital anomalies in 293,498 infants of diabetic mothers. Risk of anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers was highest in poor families (13.3%) compared to the rich families (10.9%), and black families had the highest risk of anomalies (14.0%) compared to white families (11.8%).

Living near an active U.S. military base in Iraq is associated with significantly higher hair thorium and increased likelihood of congenital anomalies in infants and children

In Iraq, war contamination is the result of dispensed bombs, bullets, detonation of chemical and conventional weapons, and burn-pit emissions by US bases. Increases in congenital anomalies were reported from Iraqi cities post-2003. These cities were heavily bombed and encircled by US bases with burn-pits. Thorium is a radioactive compound and a direct depleted-uranium decay-product. Radioactive materials, including depleted uranium, are routinely stored in US bases and they have been shown to leak into the environment. We conducted a case-control study to investigate associations of residential proximity to Tallil Air Base, a US military base near Nasiriyah, as well as levels of uranium and thorium in hair and deciduous teeth with congenital anomalies. The study was based on a sample of 19 cases and 10 controls who were recruited during late Summer and early Fall of 2016. We developed mixed effects logistic regression models with village as the random effect, congenital anomaly as the outcome and distance to the US base and hair metal levels (one at a time) as the predictor variable, controlling for child's age, sex and paternal education. We also explored the mediation of the association between proximity to the base and congenital anomalies by hair metal levels. We found an inverse association between distance to Tallil Air Base and risk of congenital anomalies and hair levels of thorium and uranium. The results of our mediation analyses were less conclusive. Larger studies are necessary to understand the scope of war contamination and its impact on congenital anomalies in Iraq.

Epidemiology and mortality of pediatric surgical conditions: insights from a tertiary center in Uganda.

The burden of pediatric surgical disease is largely unknown in low- and middle-income countries such as Uganda where access to care is limited. Implementation of a locally led database in January 2012 at a Ugandan tertiary referral hospital, and review of 3465 prospectively collected pediatric surgical admissions from January 2012 to August 2016. 2090 children (60.3%) underwent surgery during admission. 59% were male and 41% female. 28.6% of admissions were in neonates and 50.4% were in children less than 1 year old. Congenital anomalies including Hirschsprung's, anorectal malformations, intestinal atresias, omphalocele, and gastroschisis were the most common diagnoses (38.6%) followed by infections (15.0%) and tumors (8.6%). Mortality rates were substantially higher than those of high-income countries; for example, gastroschisis and intussusception had mortality rates of 90.1% and 19.7%, respectively. Post-operative mortality was highest in the congenital anomalies group (15.0%). There is a high burden of infant congenital anomalies with higher mortality rates compared to high-income countries. The unit performs primarily specialized procedures appropriate for a tertiary center. We hope that these data will facilitate evaluation of ongoing quality improvement and capacity-building initiatives.

Congenital anomalies following antenatal exposure to dolutegravir: a Canadian surveillance study.

Dolutegravir is recommended worldwide as a first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals living with HIV. A recent study reported increased rates of neural tube defects in infants of dolutegravir-treated women. This study examined rates of congenital anomalies in infants born to women living with HIV (WLWH) in Canada. The Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Programme captures surveillance data on pregnant WLWH and their babies and was analysed to examine the incidence of congenital anomalies. Paediatric HIV clinics. Live-born infants born in Canada to WLWH between 2007 and 2017. Data on mother-infant pairs, including maternal ART use at conception and during pregnancy, are collected by participating sites. Congenital anomalies. Of the 2423 WLWH, 85 (3.5%, 95% CI 2.85-4.36%) had non-chromosomal congenital anomalies. There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of congenital anomalies between women who were on ART in their first trimester (3.9%, CI 1.7-7.6%) or later in the pregnancy (3.9%, 95% CI 2.6-5.6%). Four of the 80 (5.0%, 95% CI 1.4-12.3%) neonates born to WLWH on dolutegravir during the first trimester had congenital anomalies, none were neural tube defects (95% CI 0.00-3.10%). Despite recent evidence raising a safety concern, this analysis found no signal for increased congenital anomalies. Five percent of the infants of Canadian women living with HIV on dolutegravir at conception had congenital anomalies; none had neural tube defects.

Congenital anomalies in infants conceived by infertile women through assisted reproductive technology: A cohort study 2004-2014.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyse the risk of congenital anomalies (CAs) in infants conceived by infertile women through assisted reproductive technology (ART). A total of 9,013 clinical pregnancy cycles resulting in 9,101 live births between 2004 and 2014 were analysed. Congenital anomalies were evaluated and compared with spontaneous pregnancies in infertile women. A total of 9,101 infants were born following ART. Three subgroups were established: In vitro fertilisation fresh embryo transfer (IVF-ET), n=2,919, intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh embryo transfer (ICSI), n=1,996 and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), n=4,186. No significant differences in perinatal outcomes were observed between the three subgroups. A total of 105 (1.15%) infants were born with CAs. The birth defect rate was slightly higher in the IVF-ET subgroup compared with the other subgroups. Among infants in the IVF-ET and ICSI-ET subgroup, the probability of birth defects increased with increased maternal age (>35 years), male factors and diminished ovarian reserve. In the FET group, the risk of birth defects was significantly increased with multiple births and maternal age >35 years. The risk of congenital anomalies following ART was not significantly different compared with spontaneous conceptions within the infertile study population. The results of the present study may provide guidance for patients who are considering treatment for infertility in China.

Abstract MP67: Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Congenital Heart Defects in Colorado: Results From the Colorado CHD Surveillance System in Adolescents and Adults (COCHD)

Introduction: The normal hemodynamic changes of pregnancy can trigger cardiac dysfunction in women with congenital heart defects (CHD), leading to an increased risk of cardiac events. Further, utero-placental flow is impaired in women with CHD which can result in higher risk of adverse offspring outcomes. Hypothesis: Severity of maternal CHD is associated with adverse maternal cardiovascular events and offspring events by severity of CHD in 1074 pregnancies that resulted in a live birth in Colorado between 2011-13. Methods: Using data from the Colorado CHD Surveillance System in Adolescents and Adults, 926 pregnant women with CHD were identified that resulted in 1074 live births between 2011-2013. Maternal CHD type was dichotomized as severe (n=149) and moderate (total n=882). The risk of adverse maternal cardiac and offspring events were calculated out of the total number of pregnancies in each severity category. Results: Primary maternal cardiac events including cardiovascular mortality, arrhythmia, heart failure, thromboembolic events (pulmonary embolism, valve thrombosis or deep venous thrombosis), vascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction or dissection) and endocarditis occurred in 15% and 7% of women with severe and moderate CHD, respectively. Premature birth (delivery <37 weeks) and/or low birth weight (<2,500 grams) occurred in >18% of the women with severe CHD and 17% of women with moderate CHD. The risk of offspring congenital anomalies among women with severe CHD was extremely high for circulatory/respiratory, musculoskeletal/integumentary, cyanotic congenital heart disease and Down syndrome. The risk of infant congenital anomalies was lower for women with moderate CHD, with the most common being circulatory/respiratory, urogenital, Down syndrome and cyanotic congenital heart disease. Conclusions: Population-level surveillance system of CHD in Colorado provides novel assessment of the substantial risk of maternal and neonatal cardiac events associated with pregnancy in women with CHD.

Toxoplasmosis an Overlooked Disease: Seroprevalence in Cancer Patients

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is one of the most important cosmopolitan life-threatening diseases in immune-compromised patients. It is caused by an intracellular protozoon: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite can cause pneumonia, encephalitis or disseminated disease in immune-deficient patients and dangerous congenital anomalies in infants born to mothers infected during early pregnancies. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Egyptian cancer patients and to correlate the prevalence with type of malignancy and the different cancer treatment modalities.Materials and MethodsBlood samples from 150 cancer patients and 50 control subjects have been examined for presence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies using a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay.ResultsAmong cancer patients included in this study, the prevalence of anti- T.gondii antibodies was 20% for IgG and 4% for IgM, while in the control group it was 8% and 2% in the same order. This difference was statistically significant for IgG (P =0.003) but not for IgM (P = 0.44). Patients with solid organ tumors treated with chemotherapy had the highest prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis (28%). It was also found higher in males (26%) than females (10%) and higher among urban (18%) than rural dwellers (16%).ConclusionCancer patients showed a significantly higher rate of infection with T. gondii than their cross-matched control. For that reason, we recommend the inclusion of a screening test for toxoplasmosis in their routine workup.

Sertraline use in the first trimester and risk of congenital anomalies: a systemic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

To perform a meta-analysis of available cohort studies on the association between sertraline use by pregnant women in the first trimester and the findings of congenital anomalies in infants. A comprehensive search of articles published from the index date up to 31st December 2015 investigating the aforementioned associations was conducted on PubMed and Web of Science. Mesh headings used included the terms "serotonin reuptake inhibitor," "sertraline," "congenital anomalies" and "obstetrical outcome." Twelve cohort studies that involved 6 468 241 pregnant women were identified. We summarized odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of congenital anomalies using the random-effects model. Pregnant women who used sertraline in the first trimester had a statistically significant increased risk of infant cardiovascular-related malformations (OR=1.36; 95% CI=1.06-1.74; I2 =64.4%; n=12) as well as atrial and/or ventricular septal defects (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.06-1.76; I2 =62.2%; n=8). Additionally, positive but nonsignificant associations between sertraline use and congenital anomalies of the nervous system (OR=1.39; 95% CI=0.83-2.32; I2 =0%; n=5), digestive system (OR=1.23; 95% CI=0.76-1.98; I2 =0%; n=5), eye, ear, face and neck (OR=1.08; 95% CI=0.33-3.55; I2 =32.1%; n=3), urogenital system (OR=1.03; 95% CI=0.73-1.46; I2 =0%; n=5), and musculoskeletal system (OR=0.97; 95% CI=0.69-1.36; I2 =0%; n=5) were observed. This meta-analysis suggested that the use of sertraline use by pregnant women in the first trimester had an increased risk of cardiovascular-related malformations as well as atrial and/or ventricular septal defects in infants. Meanwhile, nonsignificant associations between sertraline use and other congenital anomalies were found. More cohort studies are warranted to provide detailed results of other congenital anomalies.

Ocular congenital anomalies in infants with microcephaly and presumable Zika virus infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is been associated with a twenty-fold increase in prevalence of microcephaly in Brazil due to presumable maternal-fetal transmission.

Molecular Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Among Infants with Congenital Anomalies in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection still represents the most common potentially serious viral complication in humans and is a major cause of congenital anomalies in infants. This study is aimed to detect HCMV in infants with congenital anomalies.Study subjects consisted of infants born with neural tube defect, hydrocephalus and microcephaly.Fifty serum specimens (20 males, 30 females) were collected from different hospitals in Khartoum State. The sera were investigated for cytomegalovirus specific immunoglobin M (IgM) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for Cytomegalovirus DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Out of the 50 sera tested, one patient’s (2%) sample showed HCMV IgM, but with no detectable DNA, other 4(8.2 %) sera were positive for HCMV DNA but with no detectable IgM.Various diagnostic techniques should be considered to evaluate HCMV disease and routine screening for HCMV should be introduced for pregnant women in this setting. It is vital to initiate further research work with many samples from different area to assess prevalence and characterize HCMV and evaluate its maternal health implications.