Cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus infection

The cytomegalovirus can be transmitted through contact with body fluids or mucous membrane contact as well as through blood and blood products. The initial infection usually occurs without or with characteristic symptoms (fever, swelling of the lymph nodes). In rare cases, jaundice or myocarditis may also occur. Severe courses of infection are mainly only observed in immunocompromised patients.

During pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the child via the placenta or during birth via the birth canal. Children born to mothers who have had an initial infection during pregnancy are particularly at risk. Approximately 5 - 15 % of these children suffer damage and are born with the so-called "congenital" cytomegalovirus syndrome (swelling of the liver and spleen, anemia, brain involvement, convulsions). Of these children, 90 % have late effects (mental and physical developmental delay, intelligence deficit, speech and hearing disorders).

A blood test can determine whether an infection has been contracted previously and whether there is relative immune protection or not. Although this immune protection does not reliably prevent infection of the unborn child, it makes it less likely.

If there is no immune protection, regular checks should be carried out to detect a new infection. There are no preventive or therapeutic measures. If a fresh infection is detected during pregnancy, an ultrasound examination of the child is carried out by a prenatal specialist and, if necessary, an amniocentesis to determine whether the child has been infected. As your gynecologist, I work together with the most competent specialists in this field in Munich.