CMV - congenital; Congenital CMV; Cytomegalovirus - congenital

Most congenitally infected children do not have symptoms. Only about 1 out of 10 infants congenitally infected with CMV have these symptoms:

• Inflammation of the retina
• Jaundice
• Large spleen and liver
• Low birth weight
• Mineral deposits in the brain
• Rash at birth (petechiae)
• Seizures
• Small head size (microcephaly)

During the exam, the health care provider may find:

• Abnormal breath sounds indicating pneumonia
• Enlarged liver
• Enlarged spleen
• Psychomotor retardation

Tests include:

• Antibody titer against CMV for both the mother and infant
• Bilirubin level and blood tests for liver function
• CBC
• CT scan or ultrasound of the head
• Fundoscopy
• TORCH screen
• Urine culture for CMV virus in the first 2 to 3 weeks of life
• X-ray of the chest

Images

Antibodies

Congenital cytomagalovirus

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Congenital cytomegalovirus Treatment

Review Date: 05/01/2011
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)