Viral infections during pregnancy are associated with several negative pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and fetal death, pregnancy loss, premature labor, Intrauterine growth restriction, and congenital malformations. Due to physical and immunological barriers, it is not easy for viruses to transmit from mother to fetus however, some viruses such as cytomegalovirus can be transmitted through an unknown mechanism. Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide, it can be reactivated from a previous infection, or infect the mother for the first time during pregnancy.
Usually, patients are asymptomatic. Symptoms may include:
Fever
Weakness
Headache
Sore throat
Joint stiffness
Rash
Only 10% of newborns have symptoms, which include:
Rash
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
Small head
Low birth weight
Seizures
Enlarged liver and spleen
Some babies may have long-term health problems such as vision, and hearing loss.
Visit a General Practice doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, if any of these symptoms are present
The cause of the disease transmission to a pregnant woman is getting in contact with the body fluids of an infected person especially children (ex: Saliva, urine, blood, semen).
Laboratory tests:
A blood sample is taken from the mother to detect if there are antibodies for the virus in the blood.
If the mother tested positive, a sample from the fluid around the baby is taken to test for the presence of virus DNA to know if it was
Medications:
There is no approved treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnant women, but a medication called Valganciclovir was used in some trials.
Oral Valganciclovir or Ganciclovir can be used to improve long-term negative outcomes in newborns.
Termination of the pregnancy may be offered to the parents after explaining the case and future possibilities.
Get the answers you need, all in one place. Explore expert-written blogs, browse our extensive FAQs for quick answers to common concerns, or use our Symptom Checker for preliminary insights.
Need in-depth details? Our Disease Directory provides comprehensive information to help you understand conditions better.
Whatever you're looking for, we’re here to support your health journey, seamlessly and effortlessly.
Reviewed Blogs & Medical Guidelines
and Diseases Explained