Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy: what is it and what risks does the problem pose to the baby

It is common for a woman, as soon as she finds out she is pregnant, to worry about the health of her baby. After all, it wants to ensure that pregnancy occurs as smoothly as possible without complications, and that the child is born totally healthy.

Many women first hear about cytomegalovirus only at this stage of their lives, so it is common for concerns to arise: What exactly is cytomegalovirus? What risks does it offer in pregnancy? Is there treatment? Below you know the answers to this and other questions on the subject.

What is cytomegalovirus?

Claudio Roberto Gonsalez, infectious disease specialist responsible for the Health Care-Related Infection Control Service (SCIRAS) at Villa Lobos Hospital, explains that cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that belongs to the herpes family, very common among the human population in general. "About 65 to 85 percent of people have already been infected with it," he says.

Similar to herpes virus, CMV can also be inactive in the body for a long time without causing serious problems. However, if contamination occurs during pregnancy, there are chances of bringing complications to the baby.

Cytomegalovirus Symptoms

Claudio Gonsalez points out that most infected people have no symptoms. "The only way to know if you had the infection is through specific tests to detect it," he says.

But in general, among the main symptoms are, according to infectologist Gonsalez:

• Fever;
• Adenomegaly (enlarged lymph nodes, also called languages);
• Asthenia (fatigue);
• Abdominal pain;
• Spleen and liver enlargement.

• CMV may remain dormant (dormant) in the body after the first infection. In situations where the immune system is weakened, the virus can reactivate, causing the so-called recurrent infection ?, adds infectologist Gonsalez.

How is cytomegalovirus transmitted?

Claudio Gonsalez explains that CMV is transmitted by direct contact. Transmission vehicles include:

• Saliva;
• Urine;
• Feces;
• Semen;
• Blood;
• Tears;
• Vaginal discharge;
• Breast milk from an infected person.

"Transmission can occur in a variety of situations, including the use of glasses and cutlery from infected people, a kiss, or even sexual intercourse," adds infectologist Gonsalez.

Risks of cytomegalovirus in pregnancy

My exam gave me that I have CMV. So will I pass the virus to the baby ??, this is a common concern among pregnant women when it comes to cytomegalovirus in pregnancy.

But the most appropriate answer is: it depends. Do a significant proportion of women already have antibodies to cytomegalovirus before pregnancy? result of them being previously infected. And, as most infected people have no symptoms, it is very common for a woman not to know (except for a blood test) if she has had contact with the virus.

Remember that CMV may remain dormant in the body after the first infection. And in situations where the immune system is weakened, the virus can reactivate, causing the so-called recurrent infection. Fortunately, however, the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby in a recurring infection is low (about 1 percent), and the risk of more serious complications is even lower.

Claudio Gonsalez explains that during pregnancy transmission can occur through the placenta or through secretions from the birth canal. Another possibility of contamination of the baby is through breastfeeding. "Under these conditions of transmission it is very rare for babies to have severe symptoms or sequelae," says the infectologist.

The big risk comes from preterm infants, according to infectologist Gonsalez.

"Thus, in most cases, it is recommended that mothers have normal birth and breastfeed their babies, even if they have CMV," says Claudio Gonsalez.

He adds that about 1 percent of newborns are born with the infection. "The vast majority of babies with CMV have no symptoms at birth and, in most cases, the infection is harmless," he says.

Some babies, however, are born with various problems due to CMV and may have sequelae. "In other cases, apparently there are no complications at first, but months or years later, a sequel appears, such as hearing loss." adds the infectologist.

However, Gonsalez points out that if the infection occurs during pregnancy, the risk of transmission of the virus to the baby is much higher. About 1 and 4 percent of women who have never had contact with CMV have the first infection during pregnancy (the so-called primary cytomegalovirus). When this happens, the possibility of the baby being infected is around 30 to 50 percent. And is there a significant risk that the child has serious health problems?

Treatment of cytomegalovirus in pregnancy

Claudio Gonsalez explains that there is no specific treatment for CMV. "Only the use of drugs called symptomatic to reduce symptoms, without interfering with the evolution of the disease and transmission to the baby," he says.

8 tips to prevent cytomegalovirus transmission

How does cytomegalovirus transmission occur in different ways? From the simple contact with an infected glass, to a kiss or during sexual intercourse ?, there is no simple method to prevent contagion.

But some basic care can help, as the infectologist Gonsalez points out:

1. Wash your hands frequently.
2. Wash hands thoroughly when changing diapers or in contact with children's saliva: Rub hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
3. If you work directly with children, be even more careful: you should be careful about hygiene, so wash your hands thoroughly when changing diapers or blowing noses. The highest frequency of infection is between 1 and 2 and a half years.
4. When playing with a small child, wash your hands first.
5. Do not use the same cutlery and glasses as small children.
6. Always wash cutlery and glasses before using them (regardless of who used them before).
7. Use condoms when you have sex, especially if you are not in a serious relationship.
8. Avoid oral sex, especially if you are not in a serious relationship.

Remember that to avoid cytomegalovirus or any other problem in pregnancy, an indispensable measure is to always be in contact with your gynecologist / obstetrician and follow all the guidelines given by him.

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