Abstract
Author(s): Dorota Bulsiewicz, Justyna Czech-Kowalska, Julita Latka-Grot, Anna DobrzaÅska
Cytomegalovirus infection is one of the most common congenital infections (about 1% of all newborns). Only 10–15% of infected newborns have specific symptoms at birth, 90% are asymptomatic. Irrespective of the clinical picture at birth, congenital cytomegalovirus infection could lead to sensorineural hearing loss, neurodevelopment deficits and ocular abnormalities (10–50%). In Poland, routine screening programs of newborns and pregnant women do not include human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) assays. The efficacy of passive immunization and antiviral treatment in pregnant women has not been well-established. An effective HCMV vaccine remains unavailable. Education about possible ways of HCMV transition and prevention effectively reduces the risk of HCMV infection in pregnant women. Spreading information about the most common sources of HCMV infection and ways to prevent it are of particular importance. Good hand-washing technique should be suggested to pregnant women having contact with children in day care and other persons with high HCMV infection risk. Gynecologists and obstetricians play a crucial role in prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection among women of childbearing age and pregnant women.