BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCongenital cytomegalovirusCMV - congenital; Congenital CMV; Cytomegalovirus - congenitalCongenital 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. Causes Congenital CMV 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. Symptoms Most children with congenital CMV do not have symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may have: Inflammation of the retina RetinaThe retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball. Images that come through the eye's lens are focused on the retina. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Large spleen and liver Low birth weight Low birth weightIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the poor growth of a baby while in the mother's womb during pregnancy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mineral deposits in the brain Rash at birth Seizures Small head size Exams and Tests During the exam, the health care provider may find:Abnormal breath sounds indicating pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enlarged liver Enlarged liverEnlarged liver refers to swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatomegaly is another word to describe this problem. If both the liver and ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enlarged spleen Enlarged spleenSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Delayed physical movements (psychomotor retardation) Tests include:Antibody titer against CMV for both the mother and infant Antibody titerAntibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin level and blood tests for liver function BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CBC CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan or ultrasound of the head CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fundoscopy FundoscopyOphthalmoscopy is an examination of the back part of the eye (fundus), which includes the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TORCH screen TORCH screenThe TORCH screen is a group of blood tests. These tests check for several different infections in a newborn. The full form of TORCH is toxoplasmosi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Urine culture for CMV virus in the first 2 to 3 weeks of life UrineUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the chestX-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Complications may include:Difficulty with physical activities and movement Vision problems or blindness DeafnessDeafnessHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 CMVIf 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. Prevention Cytomegalovirus is almost everywhere in the environment. The US 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.Open ReferencesReferencesBeckham JD, Solbrig MV, Tyler KL. Viral encephalitis and meningitis. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 78.Britt WJ. Cytomegalovirus (CMV). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 137.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection. www.cdc.gov/cmv/index.html. Updated August 18, 2020. Accessed June 18, 2023.Huang FAS, Brady RC. Congenital and perinatal infections. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.AllVideoImagesTogCongenital cytomegalovirus - illustration Congenital cytomegalovirus is caused when an infected mother passes the virus to the fetus through the placenta. The infant is characteristically born with a rash, a large spleen or liver, jaundice, inflammation of the retina, and a small head.Congenital cytomegalovirusillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationCongenital cytomegalovirus - illustration Congenital cytomegalovirus is caused when an infected mother passes the virus to the fetus through the placenta. The infant is characteristically born with a rash, a large spleen or liver, jaundice, inflammation of the retina, and a small head.Congenital cytomegalovirusillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Asymptomatic(Special Topic)Rashes(Symptoms)Retina(Special Topic)Calcification(Special Topic)Hearing loss(Symptoms)Hepatitis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/28/2023 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Congenital cytomegalovirusCMV - congenital; Congenital CMV; Cytomegalovirus - congenitalCongenital 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. Causes Congenital CMV 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. Symptoms Most children with congenital CMV do not have symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may have: Inflammation of the retina RetinaThe retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball. Images that come through the eye's lens are focused on the retina. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Large spleen and liver Low birth weight Low birth weightIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the poor growth of a baby while in the mother's womb during pregnancy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mineral deposits in the brain Rash at birth Seizures Small head size Exams and Tests During the exam, the health care provider may find:Abnormal breath sounds indicating pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enlarged liver Enlarged liverEnlarged liver refers to swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatomegaly is another word to describe this problem. If both the liver and ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enlarged spleen Enlarged spleenSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Delayed physical movements (psychomotor retardation) Tests include:Antibody titer against CMV for both the mother and infant Antibody titerAntibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin level and blood tests for liver function BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CBC CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan or ultrasound of the head CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fundoscopy FundoscopyOphthalmoscopy is an examination of the back part of the eye (fundus), which includes the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TORCH screen TORCH screenThe TORCH screen is a group of blood tests. These tests check for several different infections in a newborn. The full form of TORCH is toxoplasmosi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Urine culture for CMV virus in the first 2 to 3 weeks of life UrineUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the chestX-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Complications may include:Difficulty with physical activities and movement Vision problems or blindness DeafnessDeafnessHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 CMVIf 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. Prevention Cytomegalovirus is almost everywhere in the environment. The US 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.Open ReferencesReferencesBeckham JD, Solbrig MV, Tyler KL. Viral encephalitis and meningitis. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 78.Britt WJ. Cytomegalovirus (CMV). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 137.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection. www.cdc.gov/cmv/index.html. Updated August 18, 2020. Accessed June 18, 2023.Huang FAS, Brady RC. Congenital and perinatal infections. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.