Protecting Children鈥檚 Health: National CMV Awareness Month
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus, but one that is not often talked about. Most adults who have CMV have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, and many people don鈥檛 even know they have it. However, for babies born with congenital CMV, the disease can be much more serious, causing birth defects and other long-term health problems.听
In recognition of National CMV Awareness Month in June, we have gathered important information about this little-known condition and what you can do to help protect your baby.听听
A Silent Epidemic听听
Congenital CMV occurs when a pregnant mother contracts the virus and passes it to her fetus.听
鈥淐MV is the most common congenital infection in every population, happening in 1 out of every 150 babies,鈥 says Sallie Permar, M.D., PhD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at 91麻豆精品. 鈥淵et most pregnant women don鈥檛 know about it. We refer to it as a silent epidemic.鈥听
Dr. Permar, a leader in the field of research into perinatal infections, was the winner of the 2020-21 Society of Pediatric Research Award in Honor of E. Mead Johnson for her contributions in defining immune responses that shield against congenital CMV infection, developing a nonhuman primate model of congenital CMV for vaccine testing; as well as defining immune responses associated with defending against mother-to-child HIV transmission, and preclinical testing of infant HIV vaccines.听
CMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 out of every 5 babies with congenital DMV will have symptoms or other health problems that persist into adulthood. of CMV in babies include:听
- Damaged eye retina听
- Enlarged liver and spleen听听
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes)听
- Low birth weight听
- Microcephaly (small head)听
- Rash听