Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Burden and Epidemiologic Risk Factors in Countries With Universal Screening

Abstract

Key Points Question What are the pooled prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection and factors associated with the rates in high-income and low- and middle-income countries? Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis including 77 studies from 36 countries comprising 515 646 infants younger than 3 weeks, the pooled overall prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus was 0.67%. The infection burden was 3-fold greater in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Lower rates were reported in screening methods using blood compared with urine or saliva. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that low- and middle-income countries incur the greatest infection burden of congenital cytomegalovirus; a global effort to address congenital cytomegalovirus in regions with the greatest prevalence is needed to reduce disease incidence and morbidity.

Cytomegalovirus infections in infants in Uganda: Newborn-mother pairs, neonates with sepsis, and infants with hydrocephalus

“…There are limitations of this study, including a lack of urine or buccal sampling in the neonates, which are known to have an increased sensitivity for CMV detection ( Boppana et al, 2010 , Boppana et al, 2011 ; Ssentongo et al, 2021 ). Although we sampled the cord blood of healthy newborns, we did not have age-matched healthy controls for the older infants.…”

“…Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital viral infection ( Manicklal et al, 2013 ). The prevalence of congenital CMV (cCMV) is more than 3-fold higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) compared with high-income countries ( Ssentongo et al, 2021 ). Congenital CMV infection is the leading cause of nongenetic sensorineural hearing loss and is associated with cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental impairment, microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, and secondary infections ( Kenneson and Cannon, 2007 ; Lanzieri et al, 2017 , Martinez et al, 2021 ; Müller et al, 2019 ).…”

Incidence of congenital and postnatal cytomegalovirus infection during the first year of life in Mexican preterm infants

“…CMV is a major cause of congenital infections worldwide. The estimated prevalence in low‐ and middle‐income countries (1.42% of newborns) is higher than the prevalence in high‐income countries (0.48%) 2 . The majority (approximately 90%) of infants with congenital infection are asymptomatic at birth.…”

Attitude towards screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection in newborns in Singapore

“…Dear Editor, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection. 1 A systematic review that included 77 studies from 36 countries reported that the overall prevalence of CMV was 0.67% in their newborn population. 1 Among newborns with CMV, it was estimated that 15-20% will suffer from potentially deleterious effects including permanent sensorineural hearing loss, intrauterine growth restriction, visual impairment, cerebral palsy and seizure disorders.…”

“…1 A systematic review that included 77 studies from 36 countries reported that the overall prevalence of CMV was 0.67% in their newborn population. 1 Among newborns with CMV, it was estimated that 15-20% will suffer from potentially deleterious effects including permanent sensorineural hearing loss, intrauterine growth restriction, visual impairment, cerebral palsy and seizure disorders. 2 In fact, congenital CMV (cCMV) is the leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss worldwide.…”