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Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most important pathogens associated with congenital infection worldwide. Most congenital CMV-infected infants are asymptomatic at birth; however, some can develop delayed sequelae, especially hearing loss. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of congenital CMV infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in a low-income region of Brazil. The objectives extended to identifying associated factors, assessing the clinical status of infected newborns, and undertaking a two-year follow-up to discern potential long-term consequences in the affected infants. This cross-sectional prospective study enrolled newborns up to three weeks of life requiring intensive medical care. We employed a convenience sampling method to include 498 newborns and 477 mothers in the study. Categorical variables underwent analysis employing Fisher's exact test, whereas the examination of continuous variables involved the Mann‒Whitney test. Results: CMV DNA was detected in saliva/urine samples from 6 newborns (1.21%), confirming congenital infection. We noted a significantly greater incidence (OR: 11.48; 95% CI: 2.519–52.33; p = 0.0094) of congenital infection among twins (7.14%) than among nontwins (0.66%). The twin patients exhibited discordant infection statuses, suggesting that only one of the babies tested positive for CMV. Most of the infected children were born to mothers who initiated sexual activity at a younger age (p = 0.0269). Only three out of the six newborns diagnosed with CMV infection underwent comprehensive clinical assessments and received continuous follow-up until they reached two years of age. Only one of the children had weight and height measurements below the norm for their age, coupled with developmental delays. Conclusions: The prevalence of congenital CMV infection among newborns admitted to the NICU was low and similar to that in the general population. However, we found a significantly greater incidence of congenital CMV infection in twins than in singletons. Interestingly, the twin-infected patients exhibited discordant infection statuses, suggesting that CMV was present in only one of the babies. We also found that most of the infected children were born to mothers who initiated sexual activity at a younger age. Diagnostic accessibility and comprehensive surveillance programs are imperative for effectively managing and preventing congenital CMV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CMV is the most common cause of congenital infection in the whole world (0.2 to 2.2 %). That infection may be symptomatic or asymptomatic at birth and, although asymptomatic cases at birth are more common, some children may develop late sequelae, and require medical intervention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CMV congenital infections in children who were born in a public hospital in Ilhéus, Brazil, and to evaluate the clinical progression in infected newborns. Methods: CMV congenital infection was determined by detecting viral DNA through nested PCR. Results: The viral DNA was detected in 25 newborns, showing a prevalence of 1.19 % (25/2100) of CMV congenital infection. In regards to the risk factors from mothers, only the variables: age of mothers (p = 0.003), number of children (p = 0.011), and use of medications (p < 0.001) were associated with the congenital infection. Approximately 12 % of children presented symptoms. One death and two auditory alterations were detected during the monitored period. Only 50 % of children diagnosed attended their medical follow. Conclusions: The prevalence found confirms the findings from other studies which involved other poor populations. Two children presented impaired hearing during the monitored period; that was one of the main sequelae from the infection. It is noteworthy that there was low adherence to medical follow-up which may underestimate data on complications of the infection CMV. Late symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases or even go unnoticed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: There are no studies on the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA by molecular methods in the saliva of newborn infants in large scale screening programs. Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of saliva as a sample for the neonatal screening of congenital CMV infection as compared to urine when processed by a PCR. Study Design: Saliva and urine samples were obtained during the first week of life. Both samples were attempted to be obtained from the first 2816 neonates. Subsequently, only saliva was obtained from other 1623 infants. Urine and saliva were processed by DNA-PCR. Confirmation of positive results was done by PCR and virus isolation by 3 weeks after birth. Results: A urine sample was not obtainable from 893/2816 (31.7%) infants. Both saliva and urine samples were obtained from the remaining 1923 infants. Of these, 28 (1.45%) were CMV-infected. There was 99.7% agreement between the results with both samples. CMV excretion was similar when PCR was applied to urine (1.3%) or to saliva (1.2%) samples. Among the subsequent 1623 infants for whom only a saliva sample was planned for screening, 16 (0.98%) were CMV-infected. Conclusions: Saliva samples are as useful as urine for the identification of CMV-DNA in large use for screening programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]