What are the symptoms? Some infected infants may go on to develop sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is caused by damage to the pathway that allows sound in the inner ear to be interpreted by the brain, over the first five years of life. CMV is one of the main causes of bilateral (both ears) SNHL in childhood. A small proportion of children infected with the virus during pregnancy or birth will be symptomatic, meaning that they display symptoms of CMV infection at birth and they can have pneumonia, liver disease, or neurological problems. The neurological problems associated with CMV infection include microcephaly, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. Some, or all, of these symptoms may occur in individual cases. How is it diagnosed? CMV can be diagnosed during pregnancy by the presence of antibodies against the virus in blood and urine. CMV can be diagnosed in newborns by detecting the virus on urine or saliva samples taken within the first two weeks of life. Trials are currently looking at whether screening for CMV in the newborn is feasible. How is it treated? Trials are ongoing for the treatment of infected children in the newborn period with antiviral medication (medication that attacks the virus). There is no prenatal therapy at present, but trials are ongoing in this area too. Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsNone. Prenatal diagnosisInfections can be diagnosed in pregnancy, and women should be encouraged to seek medical advice for minor flu-like illnesses during pregnancy. Is there support? CMV Action Freephone helpline: 0845 467 9590Email: via websiteWebsite: cmvaction.org.uk The Organisation is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1147633. It provides information and support to anyone affected by Congenital CMV, and can put families in touch with each other who may be facing similar issues or live nearby. Group details last updated May 2016.
What are the symptoms? Some infected infants may go on to develop sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is caused by damage to the pathway that allows sound in the inner ear to be interpreted by the brain, over the first five years of life. CMV is one of the main causes of bilateral (both ears) SNHL in childhood. A small proportion of children infected with the virus during pregnancy or birth will be symptomatic, meaning that they display symptoms of CMV infection at birth and they can have pneumonia, liver disease, or neurological problems. The neurological problems associated with CMV infection include microcephaly, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. Some, or all, of these symptoms may occur in individual cases.
How is it diagnosed? CMV can be diagnosed during pregnancy by the presence of antibodies against the virus in blood and urine. CMV can be diagnosed in newborns by detecting the virus on urine or saliva samples taken within the first two weeks of life. Trials are currently looking at whether screening for CMV in the newborn is feasible.
How is it treated? Trials are ongoing for the treatment of infected children in the newborn period with antiviral medication (medication that attacks the virus). There is no prenatal therapy at present, but trials are ongoing in this area too.
Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsNone. Prenatal diagnosisInfections can be diagnosed in pregnancy, and women should be encouraged to seek medical advice for minor flu-like illnesses during pregnancy.
Is there support? CMV Action Freephone helpline: 0845 467 9590Email: via websiteWebsite: cmvaction.org.uk The Organisation is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1147633. It provides information and support to anyone affected by Congenital CMV, and can put families in touch with each other who may be facing similar issues or live nearby. Group details last updated May 2016.