Recurrent cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy: ultrasonographic diagnosis and fetal outcome

Abstract

Fetal infection as a consequence of recurrent disease is uncommon. We present a case of recurrent cytomegalovirus infection in the second trimester of pregnancy. Fetal infection was detected through severely abnormal findings on ultrasound examination and verified by detecting cytomegalovirus DNA in the amniotic fluid and cytomegalovirus-specific immunoglobulin M antibodies in the fetal blood and associated pancytopenia. Because of the severity of the infection, a fatal outcome was predicted. A Cesarean section was performed at 33+5 weeks of gestation; the child died shortly after birth.