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Pregnancy
In the United
States, about half
of expectant mothers
have never been
infected with CMV.
About 1% to 4% of
uninfected mothers
have primary (or
first) CMV infection
during their
pregnancy. Most
women have no
symptoms, although
some have a disease
that is like
mononucleosis.
About one third of
women who become
infected with CMV
for the first time
during pregnancy
pass the virus to
their unborn babies.
Women who had CMV
before getting
pregnant can also
pass the virus to
their unborn babies,
but this is less
common.
Each year in
the United States,
about
1 in 750
children are
born
with or
develop
disabilities
as a result of CMV infection. |
Most babies with
congenital (meaning from
birth) CMV never have
health problems. But, in
some babies, congenital
CMV causes health
problems when
the baby is born or
later in the baby’s
life. These health
problems may include
Sometimes health
problems such as
hearing or vision
loss do not occur
until months or
years after birth.
With proper care, most
infants with CMV disease
survive. Of those with
symptoms at birth, 80%
to 90% will have
problems within the
first few years of life.
These problems may
include hearing loss,
vision loss, and various degrees of
mental retardation. Of
those infants with no symptoms
at birth, 5% to 10% will
later develop various
degrees of hearing and
mental or coordination
problems.
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Health problems
occur most often
among babies born to
women who are having
their first CMV
infection during
pregnancy. |
Pregnant women can be
infected with CMV
through sexual contact,
blood transfusions, and
non-sexual, close
contact with infected
persons, especially
young children. Children
can be infected with CMV
before birth, during
delivery, and through
breast feeding, blood
transfusions, or contact
with other children who
have CMV. Infants and
children who acquire CMV
after birth have few, if
any, symptoms or
problems.
There is no vaccine to prevent CMV infection; however, there are certain steps pregnant women can take that may reduce their risk of acquiring CMV and other infections that may pose a risk to their unborn children. If you are pregnant,
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds, especially after changing diapers or touching saliva or nasal secretions from a young child.
- Reduce contact with saliva and nasal secretions from young children by 1) using soap and water or a disinfectant to clean hard surfaces that have been contaminated by secretions, 2) not sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils with young children, and 3) being careful to limit kissing of young children on the lips.
- If you work in a day care center, limit close contact with children younger than 2½ years of age, especially if you've never been infected with CMV or don't know if you've been infected.
More information:
- Send an eCard to a pregnant friend or family member:
- Download a podcast:
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0:59 minutes)
