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Fetal therapies for cytomegalovirus: What we tell prospective parents |
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| Authors: | Adam W Bartlett Stuart T Hamilton Antonia W Shand William D Rawlinson |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia;2. School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division (SAViD), NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia;3. Child Population and Translational Health Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, NSW, Australia;4. School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| Abstract: | Congenital CMV is the most common congenital infection in the developed world. Infection results in congenital disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and occasionally fetal or neonatal death. Fetal infection can occur through maternal-fetal transmission during primary maternal infection or maternal reactivation or re-infection. Awareness among maternal health care providers and parents is low. The prevention of maternal CMV infection currently relies on hygiene measures, with no effective CMV vaccine or prophylactic therapies. No licensed treatment options are available to prevent maternal-fetal transmission or fetal disease. Hyperimmunoglobulin and valaciclovir have been investigated for prevention of maternal-fetal transmission or fetal treatment, with some evidence supporting consideration of maternal administration of hyperimmunoglobulin or valaciclovir therapy in certain circumstances. This article outlines the clinical evidence regarding proven preventative behavioral measures and experimental hyperimmunoglobulin and valaciclovir therapies, that is structured around common questions asked by pregnant women about CMV infection. It is aimed to help maternity health care providers counsel prospective parents about congenital CMV disease and the preventative and therapeutic strategies currently available. |
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