Cytomegalovirus: CMV Virus in Newborns

CMV is a member of the herpes family. It causes the largest number of viral infections in humans. It is present in blood, urine, saliva, respiratory secretions, tears, feces, breast milk, semen and cervical secretions. This infection is very common in children. Women who have had this virus should not be very concerned about their pregnancy, but infection of CMV during pregnancy is a cause of concern. During pregnancy, it can be passed on from the mother to the baby. It may also be passed on to the baby while breastfeeding. In this case, it is called congenital cytomegalovirus or cytomegalovirus inclusion disease. In majority of the cases, newborns develop no serious problems. However, sometimes it may grow into a serious illness and lead to a lifelong disability or death.

About the Infection
In most of the cases, CMV in babies is asymptomatic. Most women of childbearing age develop this infection about 6 months before becoming pregnant. When there is infection during pregnancy, there is a higher risk of complications developing in the baby. It is seen that there are 5 to 10% cases of congenital CMV in babies. Serious complications related to CMV in newborns include:

• Hearing loss
• Visual impairment
• Mental retardation
• Epilepsy
• Autism

Symptoms
Most of the infections of the virus in neonates do not show any visible symptoms. However, the following symptoms may point out towards the contagion.

• Jaundice, that is yellow skin and eyes
• Purple skin rash or splotches
• Underweight newborn
• Enlarged spleen
• Enlarged and poor function of the liver
• Pneumonia
• Seizures

About 1 in 100 babies is infected with CMV are found to be unwell at birth. These children are very ill and develop permanent disabilities. You may find a baby healthy at birth, but it develops symptoms of this virus in few months or years after birth. Hearing loss in the last sign in this infection.

Other Ways of Contracting this Disease
It is present in human body fluids like saliva and respiratory secretions. Thus, coming in contact with an infected person or surface can be contagious. Babies can contract it while at nurseries or daycare centers. Most pregnant women contract this virus through their own toddlers or babies and therefore, it can be very dangerous for the unborn child.

Protection from CMV in Newborns
If you have preschoolers or toddlers at home that attend daycare, it is very important to get yourself tested for this infection. If you are pregnant and never had CMV, then avoid kissing young children, even your own, near the mouth and cheek. If you are tested positive, make sure you follow all the guidelines of your doctor. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling baby diapers, avoid sharing utensils with your kids and coming in contact with anyone you suspect may have this virus. Although, it may sound very grave not kissing and sharing with your own children, but it is just a precautionary measure for the safety of your unborn child.

Vaccines
There is no cure or vaccine for this infection. There is a drug named ganciclovir that helps cure some infections in newborns. You should always discuss the options of using this drug in infants and follow the medical advice.

Every hour, one child becomes disabled permanently due to congenital CMV. In America, one in every 150 children are born with cytomegalovirus. It is known as the leading cause of non-hereditary deafness and one of the causes of cerebral palsy in children. It is also the second largest cause of mental retardation and Down's syndrome in neonates. These spine-chilling facts need immediate attention from your doctor, if pregnant. Do not take this silent virus leniently, CMV in newborns may prove to be a life-altering illness for your child.