Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy

Abstract

To the Editor: Recent reports have demonstrated that congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is frequently inapparent clinically.^{1 , 2} Neurologic sequelae of occult congenital cytomegalovirus infection occur in 10 per cent of such infants.² Mothers of infected infants are frequently teen-age primiparas.² Unfortunately, no consistent symptomatology referable to acquired cytomegalovirus in the mothers of such infants has been described. Evidence has accumulated within recent years associating acquired CMV with an infectious-mononucleosis-like illness,^{3 , 4} liver disease,⁵ respiratory illness,⁶ vaginitis⁷ and post-perfusion syndrome.^{8 , 9} To date, no attempt has been made to identify clinical evidence of acquired CMV infection in the pregnant woman.We have attempted . . .