CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEWBORNS: ETIOLOGY, TRANSMISSION ROUTES, AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Keywords:
cytomegalovirus, congenital infection, vertical transmission, sensorineural hearing loss, pregnancy, neonateAbstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents the most prevalent congenital viral infection worldwide, affecting 0.5-2% of live births and constituting the leading non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disability in children. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted aspects of CMV infection in pregnant women and newborns, with particular emphasis on etiological factors, transmission pathways, and clinical presentations. Primary maternal infection during the first trimester carries the highest risk of vertical transmission (30-40%) and severe fetal sequelae, although non-primary infections also contribute significantly to disease burden due to maternal seroprevalence rates exceeding 50% in many populations. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids, with young children serving as primary reservoirs. Clinical manifestations in congenitally infected newborns range from asymptomatic courses (approximately 85-90%) to symptomatic disease characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae, thrombocytopenia, jaundice, microcephaly, and neurological involvement. Long-term sequelae, particularly sensorineural hearing loss affecting 30-50% of symptomatic and 8-15% of initially asymptomatic infants, underscore the public health significance of this infection. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and clinical outcomes to enhance understanding of this clinically important congenital infection.
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