Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy
This time we're going to talk about cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy, and for this we're joined again by Dr. Isabel Rodríguez-Piñero , a gynecologist at the Women's Unit of the Ruber International Hospital . Through her Instagram account, she has explained what CMV is, what it can cause during pregnancy, and how to prevent it.
What is cytomegalovirus?
Cytomegalovirus ( CMV) is a virus related to the viruses that cause chickenpox and mononucleosis . It is an infection that can both reactivate and reinfect. However, it is important to note that in cases of reinfection, the possibility of transmission to the fetus is very low, occurring in only 0,5 to 3% of cases.
How is cytomegalovirus transmitted?
Cytomegalovirus is transmitted through secretions : saliva, mucus, vaginal secretions, semen, urine… It can also be transmitted through breastfeeding or transplacental passage.
Cytomegalovirus during pregnancy
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of hearing loss , but it's important to note that approximately 80-90% of infections are asymptomatic . The earlier the infection occurs, the more severe it will be, but after the second trimester, the probability of transplacental transmission and subsequent infections is less than 1%.
Why isn't universal screening done?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not included in universal screening for pregnant women, as many societies do not recommend it. However, some hospitals do offer screening because a 2020 study demonstrated that treating CMV infection in the first trimester reduced fetal infection rates by 63%. Therefore, screening is only performed in the first trimester, as the infection is most severe during this period . After week 14, the probability of infection and fecal complications is less than 1%, as we mentioned earlier.
What prevention can we carry out?
The vast majority of pregnant women contract cytomegalovirus through contact with children under 3 years old . Therefore, the main preventative measure is to be careful when cleaning mucus and diapers and to maintain good hygiene, especially when the child is sick.
Related articles
- Impact of Parvovirus B19 on pregnant women
- Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy
- Pregnancy monitoring in the Women's Unit
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized department in this area. You can request more information by calling 91 387 51 72/73/74 or schedule an in-person appointment with top specialists.
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