NEONATAL CONSEQUENCES OF STDS - WHAT TO D O IN CASE OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection throughout the world with evidence of HCMV infection diagnos ed by demonstration of the virus in the urine or saliva within the fir st two weeks of life in 0.4-2.3% of all newborn. Over 90% of infants i nfected with HCMV are free of symptoms at birth, but a delayed impairm ent in the form of deafness or mental retardation subsequently develop s in 5 to 17% of those newborn. As many as 30% of infected infants sym ptomatic at birth may die and 90% of the survivors may develop importa nt sequelae and handicaps. HCMV is the most common infectious cause f mental retardation and non hereditary sensorinal deafness in children. Fetal infection may follow either primary or recurrent maternal infec tion. Ho ever congenital infections in the children of women with immu nity acquired before pregnancy are less likely to be clinically appare nt at birth than those resulting from a primary infection. Since the t reatment of HCMV infections in the fetus and the newborn has so far be en disappointingly ineffective, measures for the prevention of these i nfections should e pursued. If a safe, effective vaccine became availa ble, the vaccination of women of childbearing age could prevent primar y infection. Conseilling young women of child-bearing age could preven t primary infection. Conselling young women to take hygienic precautio ns is proposed by some investigators. The systematic research of a pri mary infection in pregnant seronegative women should be avoided.