Treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus: where are we now?

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in the USA, affecting approximately 1% of all live births. While the majority of infants will remain asymptomatic, approximately 10% will be symptomatic at birth and another 10–15% will go on to develop problems during the first 6 years of life. Congenital CMV is now the most common cause of nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss in children. Accordingly, researchers and clinicians have long been interested in identifying strategies to prevent or treat symptomatic congenital CMV infection. This article reviews congenital CMV with a focus on treatment strategies.

Keywords::

• congenital cytomegalovirus
• congenital infections
• cytomegalovirus
• ganciclovir

Disclosure

Dr Michaels is funded by Roche for prophylaxis of influenza in immunocompromised hosts and has received funding in the past for investigation of oral valganciclovir in pediatric transplant recipients.