Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: do pregnant women and healthcare providers know enough? A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection worldwide causing serious morbidity in newborns, infants, and children. Despite the clinical importance of congenital CMV (cCMV), studies conducted so far conclude that there is limited awareness in both the medical community and public of cCMV infection. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the knowledge and awareness of cCMV among pregnant women and healthcare providers during the last decade.

Methods

A literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus, including studies published between 2011 and 2020. Eligibility criteria included articles focusing on either pregnant women or healthcare providers and reporting data about cCMV awareness. We included cross-sectional and interventional studies. Study quality was assessed using the Study Quality Assessment Tools by National Institute of Health.

Results

Overall, 23 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 13 studies referred to pregnant women and 10 to healthcare providers. A total of 6521 pregnant women and 3609 healthcare providers were included. The level of awareness of pregnant women about cCMV was low to moderate. However, pregnant women showed willingness to adopt hygiene strategies following interventional-educational practices. Concurrently, awareness among healthcare providers varied depending on the specialty. Nonetheless, a great proportion admitted feeling inadequate in advising pregnant women for cCMV screening and prevention.

Conclusion

The role of healthcare providers in growing awareness among pregnant women is of paramount importance. Due to the lack of an effective vaccine as yet, education of women regarding hygiene measures is currently the best strategy to prevent cCMV disease.

Keywords:

• Cytomegalovirus
• congenital
• knowledge
• attitudes
• pregnant
• healthcare professionals

Author contributions

Concept and design DG. Literature search and drafting of the manuscript SB and DG. Critical Revision and Editing: DG, GD, VP. Supervision DG. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest

Data availability statement

All data are available from the manuscript.