When should you start treatment for congenital CMV?

When should you start treatment for congenital CMV?

Infants congenitally infected with CMV may benefit from antiviral therapy, especially if treatment is initiated within the first month of life. The management and outcome of congenital CMV infection are reviewed below.

How is congenital CMV treated?

We treat babies born with congenital cytomegalovirus with a course of intravenous antiviral medication over a period of several weeks. The most commonly used treatments for congenital cytomegalovirus are called ganciclovir and valganciclovir.

What medication is given for CMV?

There are currently four antiviral drugs licensed for the treatment of CMV infections: ganciclovir (GCV), valganciclovir (VGCV), foscarnet (FOS), and cidofovir (CDV).

What is the difference between CMV IgG and IgM?

Testing for CMV infection is a simple blood test, called a CMV IgG antibody. It will determine if a pregnant woman has had CMV. A positive result indicates a current or past CMV infection. A second blood test, called CMV IgM antibody will help determine if the CMV infection is current or past.

How is cytomegalovirus diagnosis?

The standard laboratory test for diagnosing congenital CMV infection is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on saliva, with urine usually collected and tested for confirmation. The reason for the confirmatory test on urine is that most CMV seropositive mothers shed CMV in their breast milk.

Is congenital CMV treatable?

CMV spreads from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. There is no cure, but there are medications that can help treat the symptoms.

How long is congenital CMV contagious?

Infants and children who catch CMV after they are born will also shed CMV. The virus will affect each child differently and the length of viral shedding can range from just a few months to eight years of age, and possibly longer.

How can CMV affect my baby?

Some babies with congenital CMV infection have health problems that are apparent at birth or that develop later during infancy or childhood. In the most severe cases, CMV can cause the death of an unborn baby (pregnancy loss). Some babies with congenital CMV infection have signs at birth.