CMV is a common herpes virus. When healthy people are infected they frequently have no symptoms. CMV is spread from person-to-person through contact with saliva, urine, tears, nasal mucus and intimate contact. Infected infants and young children, who may otherwise remain well, can easily pass this virus on to others.
Therefore, people who care for or work with young children are at increased risk of infection through activities like nappy changes. If a pregnant woman is infected with CMV, there is a risk that her unborn baby will also become infected. This is called congenital CMV (cCMV).
Most babies born with CMV will remain well. However, CMV can cause injury to the baby’s developing brain. In Australia, more than 400 babies every year are born with a life-long disability caused by CMV.
There’s currently no vaccine that can prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV).
The best way to reduce the risk of getting CMV in pregnancy is by maintaining good hygiene. Hygiene precautions are recommended for anyone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy and are particularly important for those who work with or care for young children.
These simple strategies will also help reduce the risk of picking up other common illnesses like cold and flu.
Routine testing for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnancy isn’t currently recommended in Australia.
A midwife, obstetrician or GP might recommend a blood test to check for CMV infection when they see a patient who is:
If you are pregnant and this sounds like you and your health professional doesn’t offer you a CMV test, you can ask for one.
Routine newborn screening in Australia doesn’t currently include CMV. A newborn will be tested for CMV if their mother had a CMV infection in pregnancy. Additionally, neonates may be tested if they are unwell at birth or do not pass the newborn hearing screening.
If your newborn needs to be tested for CMV, a doctor or nurse will take a saliva or urine sample from your baby within the first 3 weeks of their birth.
If you are diagnosed with CMV during pregnancy, your midwife, obstetrician, GP or infectious diseases specialists can discuss options with you. This may include antiviral medications. You can read more about this in the CMV Diagnosis in Pregnancy information sheet.
If your baby is diagnosed with CMV at birth and has signs of infection, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist might recommend antiviral medicine for your baby. Babies who do not have signs of CMV at birth generally won’t need antiviral therapy. You can read more about this in the Postnatal care of babies with CMV information sheet.
All babies diagnosed with CMV at birth should be followed up by a paediatrician regularly until they are 5 years old.
Thank you to all the families who have shared their congenital CMV stories to both increase awareness about CMV and to celebrate their beautiful children who have been impacted by this common virus. If you would like to share your story please contact Hayley here at Cerebral Palsy Alliance hsmitherssheedy@cerebralpalsy.org.auÂ
Every June Cerebral Palsy Alliance joins together with clinicians, researchers, families and the CMV Association to raise awareness about CMV. You can see some of the pieces here:
