Prevalence and clinical aspects of CMV congenital Infection in a low-income population

• Published in: Virology journal Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 148
• Main Authors: Marin, Lauro Juliano, Santos de Carvalho Cardoso, Emanuelle, Bispo Sousa, Sandra Mara, Debortoli de Carvalho, Luciana, Marques Filho, Marcílio F, Raiol, Mônica Regina, Gadelha, Sandra Rocha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 31.08.2016; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Adolescent; Analysis; Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cytomegalovirus - genetics; Cytomegalovirus - isolation & purification; Cytomegalovirus - physiology; Cytomegalovirus infections; Cytomegalovirus Infections - congenital; Cytomegalovirus Infections - economics; Cytomegalovirus Infections - epidemiology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; Development and progression; Disease transmission; Female; Humans; Infant; Influence; Male; Poverty; Prevalence; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Social economics; Brazil; Newborn screening; Medical supervision; Congenital cytomegalovirus disease; Late sequelae; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1743-422X; 1743-422X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0604-5

CMV is the most common cause of congenital infection in the whole world (0.2 to 2.2 %). That infection may be symptomatic or asymptomatic at birth and, although asymptomatic cases at birth are more common, some children may develop late sequelae, and require medical intervention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CMV congenital infections in children who were born in a public hospital in Ilhéus, Brazil, and to evaluate the clinical progression in infected newborns. CMV congenital infection was determined by detecting viral DNA through nested PCR. The viral DNA was detected in 25 newborns, showing a prevalence of 1.19 % (25/2100) of CMV congenital infection. In regards to the risk factors from mothers, only the variables: age of mothers (p = 0.003), number of children (p = 0.011), and use of medications (p < 0.001) were associated with the congenital infection. Approximately 12 % of children presented symptoms. One death and two auditory alterations were detected during the monitored period. Only 50 % of children diagnosed attended their medical follow. The prevalence found confirms the findings from other studies which involved other poor populations. Two children presented impaired hearing during the monitored period; that was one of the main sequelae from the infection. It is noteworthy that there was low adherence to medical follow-up which may underestimate data on complications of the infection CMV. Late symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases or even go unnoticed.