Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the commonest congenital infection and cause of birth defects worldwide. Globally, approximately 1 in 150 live-born infants (0.7%) are affected, with approximately 40,000 cases per year in the United States, 5,000 of whom manifest permanent sequelae. Despite the magnitude of the problem as well as evidence for efficacy of preventive actions, awareness among women of childbearing potential is low, questions regarding optimal diagnostic methods remain, treatment options are limited, and an effective vaccine is yet to become available.
CMV is a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. After infection, the virus persists in leukocytes and tissue cells with intermittent shedding in urine, saliva, and genital secretions. Vertical transmission most commonly occurs in utero, but infection can be acquired at the time of birth or via human milk. Clinical manifestations are evident at birth in only 10% of infected infants and run the gamut from isolated...
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