Acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection by premature neonates

Perinatal or early-postnatal cytomegalovirus infection in preterm infants under 34 weeks gestation born to CMV-seropositive mothers within a high-seroprevalence population

“…In a study 22 in which neonates were fed natural breast milk and were transfused with CMV-positive untreated blood, CMV infection was detected in 22.4% of infants born at <32 weeks of gestation to CMV-seropositive mothers, with a greater chance of acquiring CMV infection in transfused infants. In contrast, we found no differences in infection rates between transfused and nontransfused infants, even when using freshly collected and high volumes of blood.…”

“…2,[5][6][7][8]22 In addition, most of these studies, performed in populations presenting low or intermediate CMV seroprevalence rates, have found marked symptoms in a high proportion (25%-80%) of infants, with early onset of symptomatic infection in preterm infants of extremely low birth weight. 7 Conversely, in our study, only one (4.8%) of the infants studied was mildly symptomatic, a 28-week-gestation infant in whom CMV was detected early.…”

Perineal ulcers in an infant: An unusual presentation of postnatal cytomegalovirus infection

“…Besides breast milk, other sources of CMV include exposure to maternal cervical secretions, transmission from other people, or transmission by blood. 22 Because our patient was born via cesarean section, transmission via maternal fluids during labor is less likely. Also, the infant did not receive any blood transfusions.…”

Prevention of Transfusion-Associated Cytomegalovirus Infection:Practice Parameter

“…5 Infection rates vary from 5% to 24%, 3 and acquisition of CMV from transfusions has been documented. 6 Risk factors for primary infection include exposure to at least 50 mL of blood, birth weight less than 1,200 g, and maternal CMV seronegativity. 78 These risk factors describe the subgroup of neonates for which preventive measures are considered acceptable practice.…”