Congenital cytomegalovirus is a condition that can occur when an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Congenital means the condition is present at birth.
Congenital cytomegalovirus occurs when an infected mother passes CMV to the fetus through the placenta. The mother may not have symptoms, so she may be unaware that she has CMV.
Exams and Tests
During the exam, the health care provider may find:
- Abnormal breath sounds indicating pneumonia
- Enlarged liver
- Enlarged spleen
- Delayed physical movements (psychomotor retardation)
There is no specific treatment for congenital CMV. Treatments focus on specific problems, such as physical therapy and appropriate education for children with delayed physical movements.
Treatment with antiviral medicines is often used for infants with neurologic (nervous system) symptoms. This treatment may reduce hearing loss later in the child's life.
Most infants who have symptoms of their infection at birth will have neurologic abnormalities later in life. Most infants without symptoms at birth will NOT have these problems.
Some children may die while they are still an infant.
Complications may include:
- Difficulty with physical activities and movement
- Vision problems or blindness
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Have your baby checked right away if a provider did not examine your baby shortly after birth, and you suspect your baby has:
- A small head
- Other symptoms of congenital CMV
If your baby has congenital CMV, it is important to follow your provider's recommendations for well-baby examinations. That way, any growth and development problems can be identified early and treated promptly.
Cytomegalovirus is almost everywhere in the environment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following steps to reduce the spread of CMV:
- Wash hands with soap and water after touching diapers or saliva.
- Avoid kissing children under the age of 6 on the mouth or cheek.
- Do not share food, drinks, or eating utensils with young children.
- Pregnant women working in a day care center should work with children older than age 2½.
CMV - congenital; Congenital CMV; Cytomegalovirus - congenital
Bechham JD, Solbrig MV, Tyler KL. Viral encephalitis and meningitis. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 78.
Crumpacker CS II. Cytomegalovirus (CMV). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 140.
Swanson EC. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: new prospects for prevention and therapy. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013; 60(2):335-349. PMID: 23481104 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23481104.
Review Date 5/14/2017
Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.