Outcome of Symptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Results of Long-Term Longitudinal Follow-up

TLDR

Congenital CMV infection presents with symptoms within the first two weeks and is confirmed by viral isolation in most cases within the first month. Thirty-four symptomatic newborns were followed longitudinally in a specialized clinic with periodic medical, visual, psychometric, and audiometric evaluations, with follow‑up ranging from 9 months to 14 years (mean ≈ 4 years). Among survivors, 23 of 34 had adequate follow‑up and all but two displayed central nervous system or auditory impairments, with microcephaly in 70 %, mental retardation in 61 %, hearing loss in 30 %, neuromuscular disorders in 35 %, and chorioretinitis or optic atrophy in 22 %, underscoring a very high risk of developmental handicap.

Abstract

Thirty-four patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection who were symptomatic as newborns were followed in a special clinic providing periodic medical and visual examinations as well as psychometric testing and audiometry. All patients had symptoms of congenital infection by 2 weeks of age, and 31 of 34 had virus isolated from urine within the first month of life. Age at latest follow-up varied from 9 months to 14 years with a mean of about 4 years. Ten patients died and 23 surviving patients had adequate follow-up examinations; all but two had evidence of central nervous system or auditory handicaps. Microcephaly was present in 16 (70%), mental retardation in 14 (61%), hearing loss in seven (30%), neuromuscular disorders in eight (35%), and chorioretinitis or optic atrophy in five (22%). Children with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection are at very high risk for handicaps that will significantly impair development.